Do you know of any chefs who have changed jobs? If so, e-mail the details to [email protected]. Be sure to include the chef’s name, former restaurant affiliation, where they are working now, or what they are doing in the interim.
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CHEF DE LATOUR JEAN PAUL LOURDES
Crystal Springs Resort, One Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg (973-827-5996 Ext 3) has named Jean Paul Lourdes as Chef de Latour for Restaurant Latour. Lourdes, a native of New Zealand, has worked in Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris, where he worked for Pierre Gagnaire for three years. A few other impressive positions include, Sydney, working in the kitchen at Tetsuya Wakuda’s groundbreaking Tetsuya, where Lowell and I had one of the best meals of our lives and, in Tokyo, Lourdes worked for Joël Robuchon at his Michelin 2-star Atelier de Joël Robuchon. In late 2012, he arrived in the United States and began working with Stephen Starr’s restaurant group, developing recipes and dishes for a range of restaurants, including Buddakan and Morimoto.
At Restaurant Latour, the globally inspired, seasonally focused menu that changes daily, allows guests to choose from two tasting possibilities: a vegetarian “Farmer’s Feast” and the protein-focused “Grazing,” both available as five and seven courses with an optional beverage pairing. Dinner starts with raw ingredients, then progresses with gradually cooked elements and softer textures, building to dishes with a roasted profile. To finish the meal, Lourdes likes to blur the lines between salty and sweet, then leaves guests on a sweet note. The design of the menu includes a panel showcasing the ingredients that will be served during the month, with the day’s menus reflecting which ingredients are of the highest quality at the moment.
Now in its tenth year, Restaurant Latour has staff have new custom-fitted Ralph Lauren uniforms. There is new tableware and glassware, and soon, an updated interior.
Timothy Fischer, who was named executive chef at Crystal Springs Resort in March 2013, is no longer there and his replacement has not been named yet.
Chef Jean Paul Lourdes
Image by Geoff Mottram
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FLOYD CARDOZ GUEST CHEF AT MONTCLAIR FOOD & WINE FEST
Melody Kettle, creator of the Montclair Food & Wine Festival, has announced that Floyd Cardoz will be the guest chef at the six-course Gala Dinner that will be held June 2 at The Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange. Chef Cardoz is the executive chef of North End Grill, an American bar and grill located in Battery Park City. Many of you may remember him from the acclaimed Table in NYC, which served New Indian cuisine, or from his cookbook, One Spice, Two Spice, or when he won season three of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Cardoz currently lives in Verona.
EXECUTIVE CHEF RYAN DEPERSIO
Ryan DePersio of Fascino in Montclair and Nico Kitchen and Bar in Newark is the executive chef at Batello, 502 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City (201-798-1798). The restaurant offers nautically-inspired Italian dishes, more than 200 wine labels, and classic cocktails with a modern twist. David Viana is the chef de cuisine.
LOCAL SEASONAL KITCHEN, RAMSEY
Chef Steven Santoro and Joan Santoro of Local Seasonal Kitchen, 41 West Main Street, Ramsey (201-962-9400) have announced that their GM Michael Greenberg has taken a job at the Alpine Country Club and is being replaced by Lauren White, who will be part-time manager assisting Joan Santoro.
HEAD CHEF ALDO CERILLI
Aldo Cerilli, who previously owned Luigi’s in Succasunna, is the head chef at Table 42, an Italian restaurant and bar at 42 N Sussex Street, Dover (973-361-2300). Previously the Laughing Lion restaurant was at this location.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].
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