Menu Innovator Blog

french

La Toque, Napa, CA (French)

By Tony Lagana / December 2, 2021

Starting his adventure in cooking at age 21, Chef Frank has been a pioneer in French cuisine in Northern  California since 1979. This self-taught chef was influenced while working as a dishwasher in France at just 16 years old. Chef Frank consistently shows his commitment to not only fine dining but his community as well.…

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soup

Autumn Soups

By Susanne Bukey / November 22, 2021

Abstract: This blog post discusses new and popular soup recipes this Fall. It focuses on those with Turkey, Pumpkin, and Seafood as ingredients. Turkey Carcass soup is like chicken noodle soup, and Spicy turkey soup can either have Caribbean or Asian Flavors. Black Bean and Pumpkin Soup, Joumou (Haitian pumpkin soup), are popular, as are…

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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…

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latin

Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine Ft. Worth, TX (Latin)

By Tony Lagana / November 4, 2021

Jon Bonnell is admired as a community-driven restaurateur. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, he spent most of his life pursuing his love for cooking within his hometown. Since 2001, Chef Bonnell has been providing award-winning dining experiences at his signature restaurant, Bonnell’s Fine Texas  Cuisine. In 2013, Chef Bonnell opened his second restaurant,…

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italian

Becco, New York, NY (Italian)

By Tony Lagana / October 28, 2021

Becco has been a theatre district staple since 1993. Chef Gallagher joined the team in 1999 alongside  Lidia and Joe Bastianich to become the Executive Chef. He has shared his talents among numerous charity benefits as well as many television features throughout his career. This James Beard house chef learned to cook in his own…

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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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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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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…

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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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