Naples Florida Weekly
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CUISINE NEWS


Culinary Concepts Director of Internal Operations Jennifer Castellani at the Chops City Grill dining room on Fifth Avenue South in Naples. COURTESY PHOTO / SAMANTHA BLOOM

Culinary Concepts Director of Internal Operations Jennifer Castellani at the Chops City Grill dining room on Fifth Avenue South in Naples. COURTESY PHOTO / SAMANTHA BLOOM

Chef Asif Syed from 21 Spices by Chef Asif is featured in a virtual cooking show series called “A Culinary Journey” at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Chef Asif showcased his cooking skills on Episode 5. This is a complimentary event by the National Indo-American Museum, an institution located in the heart of Chicago’s Indian American commercial district. Viewers can sign up through the museum’s website: www.niam.org.

NIAM is the repository of the Indian American narrative, serving as a hub for the Indian American experience, keeping its stories alive and relevant, using innovative ways to connect with audiences.

Culinary Concepts hosts a Career Fair from noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at its corporate offices on the second floor at 837 Fifth Ave. S. in Naples.

“There’s never been more opportunity or a better time to join the restaurant industry,” said Jennifer Castellani, director of internal operations of Culinary Concepts, who started her career with Culinary Concepts 22 years ago as a server at Yabba Island Grill in Naples and now oversees human resources, among other departments. “It really is an industry of opportunity. Regardless of your skills, regardless of your education, there is always opportunity for growth.”

Chef Asif Syed COURTESY PHOTO / NICOLE NIXON

Chef Asif Syed COURTESY PHOTO / NICOLE NIXON

Culinary Concepts expects to add 50 new hires to join its current team of more than 300 with positions available at five locations: Pazzo! Cucina Italiana, Chops City Grill and Yabba Island Grill on Fifth Avenue South in Naples, a newly renovated Chops City Grill in Bonita Springs and The Saloon in Estero at the Coconut Point mall. Openings include sous chefs, line cooks, broiler cooks, pantry, servers, bartenders, food runners, bussers, hosts and hostesses. Experienced applicants must be 17 years old or older and apply in person; no appointments are necessary and walk-ins are welcome. During the career fair only, every completed application receives a $10 cash bonus.

“To some, it’s a job versus a career. At Culinary Concepts, we invest in our people and help our workers advance whether it’s from busboy to host or waiter to manager. It’s a career,” said Ms. Castellani.

239-435-0090; www.gr8food.net.

Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar has installed a new self-pour tap wall at its flagship location in Estero. The RFID-enabled draft system features a rotating selection of 54 self-serve beers, wines, hard seltzers, ciders and more.

First opened in 2009, Naples Flatbread is a fresh approach to casual dining with a menu that includes an array of innovative flatbreads, Wagyu burgers, gourmet paninis and specialty mac ‘n’ cheese.

Owner Ralph Desiano originally designed the concept to be different from the other dining options out there and at the time, flatbreads were completely new to the market. Keeping in line with that pioneer mentality, Mr. Desiano saw selfpour as an opportunity to reinvent the Naples Flatbread brand and be the first to bring a new experience to the area.

With iPourIt’s self-pour system, patrons can serve themselves a variety of draft beverages using RFID technology to activate the taps and keep track of their tab. The self-serve format allows guests to explore and sample the beverages as they please, without committing to a full pour.

The self-pour tap wall offers a domestic and craft beer, wine, hard seltzer, cider, kombucha, mead and nitro cold brew coffee, as well as a house Moscow mule made with Tito’s vodka.

“The iPourIt system is an excellent update for our fun and original dining concept. It’s a hip and trendy technology that compliments the brand perfectly,” said Mr. Desiano. “It’s like a playground for adults.”

10801 Corkscrew Road, Suite 520, Miromar Outlets, Estero; 239-495-3528; naplesflatbread.com. ¦

— Email food and dining news by noon Friday to Cathy Cottrill at ccottrill@floridaweekly.com.

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