Serrano's Executive Chef Gina Rodriguez will host a special tasting dinner in mid-March to sample selections from her new spring menu paired with wine's from Serrano's boutique list. Chef Rodriguez will also preview Serrano's first ever hand-crafted cocktail list. Members of the Philadelphia food press are invited. For inquiries, please call Kory Aversa at 215-840-9216 or email [email protected].
Spring Flavors + Signature Dishes
The first day of Spring is a fitting time to introduce the new menu from Serrano's Executive Chef Gina Rodriguez. After living in Philadelphia for nearly a year, Chef Rodriguez is excited to take inspiration from the feel of the four seasons. For her spring menu, she will bring together bountiful flavors, local purveyors and a twist of fun.
Meet the Chef
Hot off her appearance from COOK, Executive Chef Gina Rodriquez is excited to personally present her dishes, talk about her inspiration, discuss her time in Philadelphia and give some insight about other exciting updates to Old City's historic restaurant and bar.
Although always her life-long passion, cooking is the second career for Arizona native Chef Gina Rodriguez. Rodriguez earned a degree in psychology and worked for a Tucson behavioral health center before enrolling at Scottsdale Culinary Institute. After graduating SCI Le Cordon Bleu, an externship in New Orleans under noted chef John Besh, and mentoring by French Master Chefs, Rodriguez worked along the San Diego coast in luxurious resort restaurants such as DH&R’s beautiful Estancia LaJolla (Adobe El Restaurante) and KSL’s La Costa Resort and Spa (the 350 seat Bluefire restaurant). She has worked at major restaurants in New York, New Orleans, Arizona and California before arriving in Philadelphia. Chef Rodriguez' creative talents also led to her to consult for the Nestle Corporation in Ohio and Denver.
In Philadelphia, Rodriguez served as Executive Chef at Kokopelli and Max and David’s before joining Serrano Restaurant in Old City. Serrano has been a staple on 2nd street for over 25 years and was searching for a chef who could re-invent the menu. Rodriguez wasted no time marrying the restaurant’s Old world feel with her own dynamic creations such as her signature Jumbo Scallops with Mushroom, Sausage & Fingerling Potatoes In Arbol Chili Gastrique.
In a male-dominated profession, Rodriguez is proof that women are a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen. She served as the first female behind the stoves at the acclaimed Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona, earning the coveted AAA 5 Diamond award in 2008, the only female awarded in the US that year.
About Serrano
Serrano had been a staple on second street for over 25 years. You could say it was on the street prior to the neighborhood being "hip". Named after the pepper, not the ham, the food can be described as internationally influenced contemporary cooking. Recently, Chef Gina Rodriguez came on board to relaunch the menu and restaurant's reputation for producing exceptional dishes at neighborhood prices. The vibe of the restaurant is very laid back. On any given day you can find a doctor next to an artist sharing a drink.
Comments