CHLOE Magazine Fall Winter 2018 | Page 29

WEEKEND Brunch The weekend brunch adds an additional level of culinary delight to top off the perfectly crafted menu. VIEWING FOOD As Art A young Julio Peraza learned to view food as art from admiring his mother’s culinary talent in her own Italian restaurant. He went on to graduate from San Francisco’s California Culinary Academy in 2002, and launched his career under Chef Joel Guillon at San Francisco’s Argent Hotel. He quickly whisked up the culinary ladder to work in various upscale restaurants in California, Hawaii and Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Chef Peraza was greeted with the unforgettable opportunity to work alongside Michelin Star Chef David Myers in the Cosmopolitan and Aria hotel restaurants. I n Chef Peraza’s active culinary career he has been named Best New Chef while working in Dallas, Texas and was granted Best New Restaurant while working as head of kitchen at Madrina. Before joining the talented culinary team at fl. 2, Chef Peraza ran Oceanside Restaurant in Florida, where he sourced the freshest seafood and finest local ingredi- ents – a skill he now utilizes at Fairmont Pittsburgh’s fl.2. AN ELITE BONUS Chef Peraza introduced an exclusive Guest Chef Dinner Series. The leading dinner was served in July 2018, featuring chefs with distinctive expertise: Brian Howard from Sparrow + Wolf in Las Vegas, Jason Purcell of Garrison at Fairmont Austin, Texas, and local chefs Kevin Sousa of Superior Motors, and Casey Renee of Whitfield at Ace Hotel Pittsburgh. The Guest Chef Dinner Series allows for talented chefs to come together creating awe-inspiring dishes. Chef Peraza recognizes the spirit of community in the Pittsburgh food scene, “I want to spread the message nationwide that not only are we on the cutting-edge of the food world, but that we welcome and embrace outside talent and new creative ideas with open arms. These dinners are truly reflective of the way I have been welcomed here.” To highlight this diverse talent within the Pittsburgh food scene, Chef Peraza invited two local chefs to the second dinner on November 10, 2018. Creating master dishes for the night will include local chefs Justin Severino of Cure and Morcilla, Roger Li of Umami, Ki Ramen and Ki Pollo, as well as Pastry Chef Carlos Enriquez of Patina Restaurant Group in L.A. and Top Chef: Just Desserts. Together the chefs will share an experience of creating food as art to be enjoyed. Fl. 2 is the ideal place to indulge in tradition and contemporary vibes. The approachable style of service and dining is a return to tradition of the familiar American table. The carefully fashioned décor details, culinary team, menu selections and atmosphere weave in absolute perfection, making for the finest stay in Pittsburgh. www.flr2pgh.com