Big news coming out of Trinity Groves this morning!
Casie Caldwell, Kitchen LTO creator, announces that Norman Grimm has won the position of executive chef and Coeval Studio (John Paul Valverde and Miguel Vicens) has won the appointment of restaurant designer for the 1st round of this permanent pop-up restaurant.
Scheduled to open September 3rd, in The Trinity Groves project of West Dallas, Kitchen LTO will dramatically change every four months as a new chef rotates in and introduces a new menu concept. Simultaneously, a new design firm will reinvent the interior’s transformable elements. Essentially, it’s a limited time offer (“LTO”), where a new restaurant is born three times a year.
Caldwell explains, “ We were fortunate to have so many talented chefs and designers as finalists for our first pop-up. Each of them is so unique and brings an interesting perspective.” After an extensive review process with the selection committee of many potential chefs and designers, the public had a chance to vote on the finalists, which consisted of 5 chefs and 5 design firms. Caldwell continues, “There’s no doubt they would all be a great fit for the project, and that’s why I find it a little bittersweet that we can only vote for one chef and one designer.”
Caldwell says, “I’m excited to work with Norm because he has worked under some of the best in the industry. He brings a passion for his craft that he wants to share and teach to others. I won’t be surprised to see him chef his own restaurant in the very near future. John Paul and Miguel are first class designers. I love the ideas they have showcased for the space, especially the vanishing tile art piece. It completely embodies the Kitchen LTO brand — even the art is ‘limited time only’. I can’t wait to see what they’ll incorporate for Norm’s style of cuisine. All I know is it’s bound to be exciting and you’ll have to hurry in before it’s all gone and we start over.”
ABOUT NORMAN GRIMM
Norman Grimm, who most recently was executive chef of Acme F&B, studied at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont. Grimm has worked in some of the nations best kitchens including Rubicon, Jardiniere, REDD, Tra Vigne, The Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton (all in California) along with Mercury, NOSH euro bistro and York Street in Dallas, to name a few. Grimm says he enjoys the teaching aspect of being a chef. He says, “Traci des Jardins, my first chef, taught me the value of working hard, proper seasoning, butchery, discipline and how to work efficiently. Sylvan Portay taught me extreme focus and how to achieve disciplined flavor layers. Sharon Hage taught me balance in food, acidity, fat, simplicity and complexity. Richard Reddington taught me meat fabrication, foie gras production, Asian flavors, discipline, cleanliness and utilization of everything – no waste!” Grimm says his proposed menu, that must be reviewed and approved by the selection committee, is modern French/American cuisine highlighting fresh seasonal ingredients with 23 years of cooking experience and techniques.
ABOUT COEVAL STUDIO
Based in Dallas, Coeval Studio has been making a name for itself on the local restaurant scene. Co-Owners, John Paul Valverde and Miguel Vicens, offer a one stop design shop for chefs and budding restaurateurs. Restaurant owners themselves, Valverde and Vicens understand the importance of unique yet practical design. Notable projects include: Design / Concepting: Hacienda San Miguel, CampO Modern Country Bistro, The Original Mexican Eats Cafe, Outpost American Tavern, Wicked Po’Boys and Seafood Preston Center, Belly and Trumpet, Sunset Lounge. In Development: Tanoshii Ramen & Bar, PakPao Tai, The Rustic, Mutts Cantina, Liberty Burger, Lakewood website: http://www.coevalstudio.com
FUTURE HOME OF Kitchen LTO – 3011 Gulden Lane, Suite 108 Dallas, Texas 75212 http://www.kitchenlto.com.
Congrats to the winners! I can’t wait to visit Kitchen LTO when doors open!
