Aug. 21--The last time Ryan LaRoche was in Chicago, he was head chef at NoMI Kitchen in the Park Hyatt. Now he's about to return, with a most intriguing job title: Executive Chef and Vice President of Culinary for Mariano's.
Which means, um, what?
"The exact details have to be ironed out," LaRoche said, "but I'll be wearing many hats, making high-end decisions, running events, probably a number of things."
LaRoche currently is in Washington, D.C., where he's been head chef for the Hyatt's Blue Duck Tavern. "But I've had a great relationship with (Mariano's) for quite awhile. It's an extremely food-oriented, food-focused brand," he said.
"Things will be detailed more quickly when I arrive," he added, "but this is exciting stuff, a real turn in my career. To be part of something like this from the beginning is very exciting."
Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.
pvettel@tribpub.com
Twitter @philvettel
