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Renowned Executive Chef of The Riviera, Lori Finkelman, Presents... "A Taste of the Spanish Riviera" - Monday, Sept. 11, 7:30pm Dallas, TX (08/01/17) by DarinShort.com. Fresh off a trip on the Spanish Riviera, please join us for a night of incredible dining as Chef Lori Finkelman creates several iconic Spanish dishes, with her own flare, hosted by Urbano Cafe in Dallas, Texas; Monday, September 11th at 7:30pm. Reservations are now being accepted, at 214-823-8550. This event also coincides with Spain's National Day of Catalonia, which is commemorated annually and dates back to 1714. For those of you that might not know Lori, here is a short bio: ''The halls smelled like chocolate!" she exclaimed after visiting The Culinary Institute of America (New York). After graduating first in her class, Lori drove from NY to what she thought was the Wild West - Dallas, Texas. She stayed two years honing her chops working at the swanky, brand new Café Royale, in the Plaza of the Americas Hotel. A grueling year long apprenticeship in Mougins, France with M. Roger Vergé followed. But Dallas lured her back, to open The Riviera with a team of talent. (The same year as Routh Street Cafe and the Mansion on Turtle Creek opened...no pressure, huh!) Twelve years later, she became the Executive Chef at ExxonMobil's World Headquarters in Las Colinas. The chance to build a dream kitchen, prepare outstanding food for top world leaders and mentoring culinarians kept her there for 22 years. So we are very excited to bring this event to the public. Back to the event, during dessert Lori will provide details of her craft and experiences, and encourages any questions you may have. For reservations to the 'Taste of the Spanish Riviera,' call 214-823-8550 today, as space to this exclusive event are very limited. Tickets are $70/person, and include three types of canapés, three courses, plus coffee & desert. Wine and Beer will be available for purchase (this is not a BYOB event). Details of Lori Finkelman's 'Taste of the Spanish Riviera' menu include: Canapés - Paella Croquettes, Fried Calamari, Albondigas First Course - Chilled Gazpacho with Garlic Shrimp Second Course - Cucumber Ribbon Salad with Olives, Marcona Almonds and Sherry Vinaigrette Third Course - Herbed Pork Tenderloin, Fried Potatoes with Chorizo, and Zucchini Casserole Dessert - Andalusian Rice Pudding with Summer Peaches and Cherries Urbano Cafe is an American/Italian Bistro with warm hospitality, owned and operated by Mitch and Kristen Kauffman. Located at 1410 N. Fitzhugh Ave. in Dallas, Texas 75204. Online, visit www.UrbanoDallas.com or search @UrbanoCafe on Facebook.com. |
| Click video link below to view a candid interview with Lori: |
| Avner Samuel selects Lori Finkelman to create powerhouse team at the new Nosh Bistro in Preston Hollow Dallas TX (07/29/19) by DarinShort.com. On the heels of Avner Samuel’s big news about the opening of the new Nosh Bistro, comes the second round of explosive headlines. Samuel has hand-picked none other than Lori Finkelman as his Chef de Cuisine. Finkelman, the co-founding Executive Chef of The Riviera, a 5-star Dallas dining icon in the eighties, has since been helming the security laden kitchens inside ExxonMobil’s posh Las Colinas corporate campus for the past two decades. “I have been itching to find a new intriguing opportunity. Then Avner called! My heart is literally racing just thinking about working with him!” said Finkelman. Interestingly, both Samuel and Finkelman worked in France at similar times. Both worked Michelin-starred restaurants, back when those stars were few and far between. “We have ninety years of super intense, high level experience between us. Of course, Avner has the sixty, and I have the thirty!” Finkelman joked. Apparently, they both feel they have unfinished business in Dallas. Finkelman commented, “This feels so right! Dallas, get ready!” Nosh Bistro is located at Preston Hollow at 8611 Hillcrest Road, and will be open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Click www.NoshBistroDallas.com for all kinds of information, including opening date, hours, menu – and great info about Avner Samuel, himself. By visiting www.LoriFinkelman.com you can watch a video about Lori to learn some of the experiences and driving forces that helped land her in the 1990 Best New Chef feature of "Food & Wine" magazine. |