Restaurateur Angelo Heropoulous rarely uttered a word about any of his restaurants without including a mention of Chompy.
For over 15 years, Felipe “Chompy” Campos, who began his career in the culinary world as a dishwasher, was a source of inspiration in many local kitchens. He was known for obsessing over details and injecting his gregarious personality into his cooking.
Campos, 41, was killed in an auto accident in late July that is still under investigation. He was laid to rest on Aug. 11.
“I first met Chompy when he was a line cook at OPA!,” says Heropoulos. “When he walked through the door, you could see the fire in his eyes. He had no formal training, he was completely green, but his energy and work ethic were unparalleled.
“He came from Mexico and had been here about 15 years. I would watch him in the kitchen: He did the work of three people.”
Campos proved an indelible part of the success of OPA!, a chain of popular eateries that pay homage to Heropoulos’ Greek heritage. He also exceled at creating the menus and dishes for the Dine in the Vine events at Hero Ranch in Morgan Hill, where Heropoulos has a vineyard and event venue.
Heropoulos credits Campos’ flair for flavors and his eye for plating with the ability to create the dishes at Hero Ranch Kitchen.
“After I sold OPA!, we would sit together and work on recipes for the new restaurant in Saratoga,” says Heropoulos. “He had an artistic gift. He really understood flavors and ingredients. He was always coming to me saying, ‘I’ve got this idea!’ We would literally work side by side, trading ideas and fine-tuning. We developed probably 500 recipes over the course of a year and a half.”
Apart from his culinary genius and admirable work ethic, Heropoulos says, Campos was a friend.
“So many people have come into my life,” the restaurateur says. “I’m so blessed. But you can see a shining star. We had a very natural relationship. Chompy was able to wear so many hats. He became a key person in my life, and a member of my family. He set up quite a legacy.”
The outpouring of support from the Hero Ranch customer base was immediate and generous. Heropoulos says the GoFundMe account for Chompy’s wife Erika, a server at Hero Ranch Kitchen, and two children, Lupe and Junior, raised over $24,000 as of press time.
“Chompy was the epitome of the American dream cut short,” says Heropoulos. “The best was yet to come.”
Losing Campos so tragically was a double blow to Heropoulos, who had just returned from Greece after attending his father’s memorial service.
“Literally, I had just landed back in California with my family, and 12 hours later, Chompy was gone. The only good news is that I know they’re up there together.”
To donate to the GoFundMe campaign, visit this GoFundMe.com page.