About UsPip's On La Brea
About Derrick Pipkin
Derrick Pipkin is the owner of Pips on LaBrea, an enchanting Mid-City restaurant featuring live jazz music, delicious food, and quality drinks. Derrick is a proud Los Angeles native who, in his teen years, was popular amongst peers for his charm and flare for entertaining friends via social gatherings and house parties.
In the mid-90s, Derrick founded the original 20-year Party in Palm Springs annual weekend getaway and the noteworthy Mothers Day Jazz Concert that ran for over 12 years at the legendary Ford Theater. After several years of using his gift prevailing in the marketing and promotions scene, both locally and nationally, Derrick took a leap of faith during a time when the country was on a downward economic spiral and began the business venture of opening his very own restaurant.
With no prior restaurant knowledge, Derrick chose a location at which he dined many times as a child with his beloved grandfather and transformed it into what is now the most popular jazz restaurant in the city of Los Angeles.
Since opening it’s doors in 2009, Derrick admits that Pips on LaBrea has faced several challenges. The establishment has endured many of the common obstacles that many small businesses experience ranging from staffing changes, financial hardships, adhering to regulations, building maintenance, etc. However, Derrick has been resilient in being resourceful with overcoming these obstacles, learning many lessons along the way. With no previous restaurant experience, he credits the continued support and constructive feedback of the community in which he serves as being the main source of his success. He is also confident that his humbled desire for providing a quality venue for his community is what has propelled him to continue striving as a business owner.
Master Chef Luis Carrizo Salvat
Argentine born chef Luis Carrizo was introduced to the South American, Argentinean and Mediterranean cuisine by his parents, a native Spaniard. He concluded his professional training and culinary education in Argentina and Brazil. After graduating he worked his way up to become the Executive Chef for Events at the Hotel Turista, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and at the prestigious Hyatt Hotel in Santiago de Chile.
In the late 90's Luis Carrizo Salvat traveled to the US to further advance his career and passion for cooking. He took on the position as Executive Chef at Minotaure Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar in Playa Del Rey, CA, known for being a fine dinning Spanish restaurant. Chef Luis Carrizo Salvat has consulted for many restaurant openings and continuously creates menus for businesses such as Farmer's Grove and California City Market. He has successfully established his own catering business "Flavors of the World" in Woodland hills.
