Menu Innovator Blog

american restaurant

Atera, New York, NY (American)

By Tony Lagana / October 6, 2021

Known as the founder of ‘The Sensory Kitchen’, Chef Ronny Emborg brings an elegant and immersive experience to guests. This food artist got his start in Denmark at the Molskroen Hotel in 2002. While working for Queen Margaret II of Denmark, Chef Emborg was recruited by one of the top Michelin-starred restaurants, Marchal at the…

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via carota

Via Carota, New York, NY (Italian)

By Tony Lagana / September 28, 2021

Partners, Chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi have developed a warm, cozy, Italian atmosphere at Via Carota in New York. California native, Jody Williams, got her start in food service at her father’s hot dog stand in San Francisco. At 24, Chef Williams set out to Italy to learn about Italian cuisine and upon her return,…

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restaurant

Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia, PA (Italian)

By Tony Lagana / September 23, 2021

Chef Marc Vetri spent many of the early years of his culinary career working in Bergamo, Italy alongside the most respected chefs in that area of Europe. It was during his time in Italy that Chef Vetri perfected his craft of rustic, classic Italian dishes. He took this love of Italian cuisine back to his…

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restaurant

Smyth, Chicago, IL (Eclectic)

By Tony Lagana / September 16, 2021

Chefs John and Karen Shields originally met while pursuing their individual culinary passions working for the renowned Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago where John was Sous Chef and Karen was Pastry Chef. The husband and wife team later took an opportunity to move to Virginia to redesign the Town House Restaurant that soon became world-renowned for imaginative…

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truffle

The Rise of Truffle Condiments and Seasonings

By Tony Lagana / September 13, 2021

The price of actual truffles is extravagant. With Italian white truffles often exceeding $200 per ounce and even the less-expensive black truffles still costing more than $20 per ounce, the actual fungi are out of the range of most people’s dining budgets. But that hasn’t affected people wanting that unique, luxurious flavor. Now, thanks to…

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next

Next, Chicago, IL (American)

By Tony Lagana / September 9, 2021

Chef Achatz’s career began working in his own parent’s restaurants in St. Clair, Michigan. Shortly after,  he enrolled in The Culinary Institute of America and found himself graduating with a position at Charlie  Trotters. After working through many acclaimed restaurants, Achatz landed at The French Laundry as the sous chef for 4 years. After his…

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Neptune Oyster Bar, Boston, MA (Seafood)

By Tony Lagana / September 2, 2021

Florida native, Chef Eric Frier had a love of food from a young age but did not immediately pursue a  career in the culinary industry. After attending college, Chef Frier decided to pursue a culinary program. He set out to learn all he could about the craft. Following that, he came to Boston in 2010…

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seafood

Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA (Seafood)

By Tony Lagana / August 26, 2021

Chicago native, Chef Justin Cogley, traveled the world as a professional ice skater before settling into his chef position. During his time touring with ‘Disney on Ice’, Chef Cogley was exposed to new flavors and cuisines as well as a myriad of food markets and international techniques. Upon his return, he enrolled at the Western…

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seafood

Erizo, Portland, OR (Seafood)

By Tony Lagana / August 19, 2021

Chef Jacob Harth has made it his mission to tackle the world’s seafood sustainability. As a young chef,  Harth set out to understand where the seafood for many restaurants was coming from. He took the education he learned from the fishermen to open his own seafood restaurant, Erizo, in 2019. Erizo does things a bit…

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italian cuisine

Christini’s, Orlando, FL (Italian)

By Tony Lagana / August 12, 2021

In 1984, Chef and Restaurateur Chris Christini opened his namesake restaurant; Christini’s Ristorante  Italiano in Orlando, Florida. It is highly regarded as one of the best Italian cuisines in Orlando. Chef Christini ran the restaurant and it’s until turning the kitchen over to Executive Chef Jason Gonsalves in  2019. Mr. Christini can still be found greeting…

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