Chef Eric, Chef Michael & Chef Brandon
If you didn’t get a chance to go to Bella Cucina’s 3rd Wine Pairing Dinner this past Monday you really missed out on a treat. The food was amazing and the wine pairings were spot on. Heading up the creative culinary team behind this great night was Chef Michael Mansfield and skilled teammates Chef Brandon Kimball and Chef Eric Krupitzer.
I sat down with Chef Michael on Wednesday and we had an opportunity to talk and get to know him a little better. Mike is from the area, he grew up in Cranberry Township and graduated from Cranberry High School. He comes by his love of food honestly, his parents are foodies and exposed him to cooking and eating good food at an early age. He is a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary program in Pittsburgh and lived there for the past 9 years. After graduating Chef Michael landed a job at The Common Plea Restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh and was promoted to Sous Chef within his first year there. He is looking forward to implementing his fresh ideas and supporting the local farmers and hanging out at the farmers market. Hear are some of the things we talked about:
What do you like to do to relax?
Spend time with my family, my wife and 17 month old son. We aren’t ones to sit inside and watch tv, we like to be outside. We’ll be spending a lot of time at the park.
What is your ideal vacation?
I like all-inclusive resorts, somewhere where they provide everything…food, drinks, entertainment. We don’t go to the same place for every vacation, we like to try different spots.
Some of the Chef's fancy foot (I mean hand) work!
Who is your favorite chef?
I admire Thomas Keller of French Laundry – but based on different types of cuisines I have different favorites.
What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
I like to use fresh ingredients whenever possible and make everything from scratch.
What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had?
It was in Nova Scotia, at a small town church, they were serving homemade clam chowder dinners with fresh bread, family style at long tables and benches. It was probably 13-14 years ago but the memory of that meal stays in my head.
If you could pick anyone in the world to have dinner with who would it be and why?
With my wife Jacki, because I enjoy her company so much. (Can I get an aaawwwww!! from the ladies)
What do you cook for yourself when you’re not working?
I like to bbq or smoke meat.
What 3 items do you always have in your kitchen pantry?
A variety of hot sauces, lots of different kinds of spices, a variety of wines to cook with, and I always have different types of mushrooms on hand.
What kind of dessert would you like served to you on a deserted island?
Coconut ice cream (perfect! fresh and local…)
If you couldn’t be a chef what would you be?
A dentist, but only after a stressful day of being a chef…which doesn’t happen that often!
Ava Rumpler, owner and Michael-Shannon Prahl, manager.
Thanks to Ava, Michael-Shannon, Chef Michael, Chef Eric and Chef Brandon for their time and all their hard work. It’s really paid off. The weather is getting warmer and Bella’s has a deck with a view of the park for you to enjoy while you dine on the chefs fresh farmers market creations. Stop by soon! Bella Cucina, 1234 Liberty Street, downtown Franklin
