Charlotte's Top Restaurant Chef Receives Prestigious Award From Springer Mountain Farms

MT. AIRY, Ga.- Georgia-based poultry producer Springer Mountain Farms has awarded Chef Jon Fortes of Mimosa Grill its prestigious Celebrate the Chef Award. Employed with Charlotte-based Harper’s Restaurant Group for more than seven years, Fortes emphasizes the importance of local cuisine through his farm-to-plate flavor and globally inspired menu with a southern twist.

Springer Mountain Farms, known for its flavorful chicken raised without antibiotics, presents this award each quarter based on the chef’s established background, community involvement and commitment to serving innovative dishes. The chef also must represent a high-end restaurant that provides top-notch service and features Springer Mountain Farms chicken on the menu."I enjoy creating inspired dishes that utilize locally produced products and ingredients that result from humane practices," said Fortes. "That’s why I love the chicken from Springer Mountain Farms – the freshness and quality of the product assures me that my guests will have an outstanding dining experience."

Hailing from New England, Fortes’ love of the sea lead him to Johnson & Wales culinary school, where he earned an associate degree. Prior to becoming Mimosa Grill’s executive chef, he worked alongside Executive Chef John Caputo of the prestigious Napa Valley Grill in Providence, R.I., served as sous chef in Wolfgang Puck’s Orlando restaurant, The Dining Room, spent three years at Bin 36 in Chicago as chef de cuisine and was selected for the executive chef role at Lindey’s in Columbus, Ohio.

Fortes joins a select group of esteemed previous award recipients in Atlanta and Nashville, including Chef Edgar Pendley of Urban Grub, Chef Chip Ulbrich of South City Kitchen, Chef Linda Harrell of Cibo E Beve, Chef Ron Eyester of Rosebud, Chef Trey Cioccia of The Farm House and Chef Asha Gomez of Cardamom Hill.

To learn more about Springer Mountain Farms, visit www.SpringerMountainFarms.com or mobile at m.springermountainfarms.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Source: Springer Mountain Farms