The director and producers of The Ranch House are raising funds to complete a feature-length documentary exploring the remarkable life of Alan Hooker and the cultural legacy of the beloved restaurant he created in Ojai, California.

Alan’s lifelong passion for hospitality began at just three years old, when he invited strangers off the street to share meals with his family. Years later, drawn by spiritual curiosity and a love of fresh produce, he began serving vegetarian meals to devotees of the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti at a single outdoor table, decades before vegetarian cuisine became mainstream.

Then came an extraordinary encounter. While exploring an apple orchard for sale, Alan reportedly met a gnome who instructed him to build a restaurant on the grounds. A mystic at heart, Alan took the message seriously, purchasing the property and creating an indoor-outdoor dining sanctuary—a Shangri-La nestled in the Ojai Valley. His close friend Beatrice Wood, the legendary Mama of Dada and an inspiration for Rose in James Cameron’s Titanic, hand-painted the restaurant’s dinnerware and chairs. Soon, Hollywood's A-list discovered this secluded retreat. Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, and other luminaries escaped the spotlight to enjoy Alan’s farm-to-table cuisine. Paul Newman reportedly called it “the best restaurant in the world.” Through Alan's unwavering faith and a bit of magic, The Ranch House would become a haven for artists, musicians, philosophers, and free spirits—a place where food, art, nature, and human connection flourished.

Drawing from Alan’s unpublished memoir, never-before-heard private audio recordings, and archival materials, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of the man behind the restaurant—his personal life, relationships, unconventional beliefs, and the experiences that shaped his extraordinary vision.

The documentary is already in production, and we need your help to bring it across the finish line. Contributions will support additional filming, aerial and macro photography, editing, visual effects, soundtrack design, and the final stages of post-production. By supporting this documentary, you’re helping preserve more than the history of a restaurant. You’re helping share the story of a man whose vision brought people from all walks of life together. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to completing the film.

Join us in bringing Alan Hooker’s extraordinary legacy to the screen for generations to come!