Menu Innovator Blog

seafood

The Willows Inn, Lummi Island, WA (Seafood)

By Tony Lagana / December 9, 2021

Born and raised in Washington, Chef Blaine Wetzel’s career began in the kitchen at the young age of 14. After working at the acclaimed NOMA restaurant in Copenhagen, Chef Wetzel knew that he wanted to return to the Puget Sound area where he grew up. The Willows Inn caught his eye due to its small…

Read More
southern food

NOLA, New Orleans, LA (Southern)

By Tony Lagana / November 11, 2021

Emeril Lagasse is a highly regarded American celebrity chef, cookbook author, and national best recipe award winner. Lagasse is also the executive chef and proprietor of thirteen restaurants in New Orleans,  Las Vegas, Orlando, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As the winner of best Southeast regional chef,  humanitarian of the year, daytime Emmy award for outstanding culinary…

Read More
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…

Read More
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…

Read More
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…

Read More
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…

Read More
healthy food

Healthy Food Fast

By Mary Kay LaBrie / September 6, 2021

Dieting on the Back Burner? Many people have gained weight or have put their diets/health on the back burner since the pandemic began, but since things are steadily going back to normal, many people are trying to compensate for their yearlong cheat day by eating healthy food. Some people have been able to get back…

Read More
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…

Read More
private dining

Private Dining Gains Public Interest

By Susanne Bukey / January 28, 2021

Setting the Stage Private-dining and catering is a growth sector in the food-service industry, with the promise of more progress in 2020. Restaurants are already testing different structuring/designing buildings, allowing space for events and private parties while also maintaining a comfortable dining room. Dallas and Tampa’s Ocean Prime kitchens are already equipped with new, interactive…

Read More
italian cuisine

Spiaggia, Chicago, IL (Italian)

By Tony Lagana / January 27, 2021

Chef Eric Lees just took over the helm of the Spiaggia kitchen as its new Executive Chef from the former longtime Chef, Joe Flamm. Chef Lees grew up in Minnesota and has been no stranger to the fine dining culinary scene. Upon moving to Chicago, Lees worked at the famed Quince restaurant, which has contributed…

Read More