Menu Innovator Blog

french cuisine

Melisse, Los Angeles, CA (French)

By Tony Lagana / January 20, 2021

As a California native, Chef Josiah Citrin developed a love of food at an early age from his caterer mother and French grandmother. After graduating High School, Citrin moved to Paris for a few years to study traditional French cuisine and techniques. During this time he gained a true appreciation for fine dining.  Upon returning…

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southern food

Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, AL (Southern)

By Tony Lagana / January 18, 2021

Southern food has always been in Chef Chris Hastings blood. Even as a boy in North and South Carolina, while catching and preparing fresh fish on family vacations, his love of southern cuisine and the culinary arts was strengthening. After spending a few years in Atlanta and San Francisco as Sous Chef for various restaurants,…

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wolfgang puck

Cut Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV (Steakhouse)

By Tony Lagana / January 9, 2021

Born in Carinthia, Austria, Chef Wolfgang Puck learned to love cooking from a very young age from his mother who was a successful pastry chef. He completed his training in Monaco and moved to the United States at the age of 24, working at La Tour in Indianapolis before moving to Los Angeles, where he…

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indian food

Indian Cooking: New generation, New Expectations

By Tony Lagana / January 7, 2021

Breaking out the Box A simple Tikka Masala or Butter Chicken isn’t going to cut it anymore for the average consumer. Many people have tried Indian food and leave with the expectation of knowing what always to expect when getting Indian food instead of searching for new restaurants with more innovative menus. Most Indian restaurants…

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french cuisine

Café Boulud, Palm Beach, Florida (French)

By Tony Lagana / January 6, 2021

Originally from Lyon, France, Chef Daniel Boulud has become a leading American Chef and Restaurateur, with multiple restaurants in New York, Boston, Washington DC, Palm Beach, Miami, Toronto, London, Montreal, and Singapore. Boulud began working in the culinary industry in his early teens, became skilled in classic French techniques, and originally came to the U.S.…

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italian food

Babbo, New York, NY (Italian)

By Tony Lagana / January 4, 2021

Chef Robert Zwirz took over as Executive Chef of Babbo in January of 2018 when longtime Executive Chef, Frank Langello and Mario Batali stepped down. Zwirz began his culinary education in 2004 at the Culinary Education Center in New Jersey and then proceeded to earn his degree from Johnson and Wales. In 2009 he began…

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health

Health is Wealth

By Tony Lagana / December 31, 2020

New Expectations for a New Generation Millennials have set a new precedent for better foods, engaging the whole culinary industry, and creating a competitive atmosphere for the best innovations. This wave has proven monumental success, with grocery stores now stocking nutritionally beneficial snacks and beverages, even having organic aisles/shelves, and fast food companies introducing ‘healthy…

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Oriole, Chicago, IL (New American)

By Tony Lagana / December 30, 2020

Chef Noah Sandoval has earned the label of best new chef from Chicago, and it is well deserved. Since Oriole opened with Sandoval at the helm, he has earned two Michelin Stars and the respect of Chicago locals. Born in Virginia, Sandoval and his military family moved quite a bit, and in his teen years,…

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steakhouse

Bourbon Steak, Scottsdale, AZ (Steakhouse)

By Tony Lagana / December 29, 2020

Born in Egypt and raised in Washington, Chef Michael Mina began working in the culinary industry in his teens, and it was during his first year of college, working in the Space Needle restaurant in Washington State that he gained the exposure he needed to make the decision to pursue full-time culinary training. Since those…

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ABC Kitchen, New York, NY (Eclectic)

By Tony Lagana / December 21, 2020

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has established himself as one of American’s most famous Chefs and Restaurateurs. Beginning his love of food in his early years in France, Vongerichten trained and worked in France, and Asia. It was during his time working in Asia that he embraced and developed a passion for Eastern flavor. To this day,…

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