It was really intriguing to me to be able to utilize wild plants, like these things I would grow up seeing and I'd have no idea that they were edible and then realizing how amazing they are and how much they add to a dish. Farms. Foraging. Fermentation. Fire. These are the four elements that best describe both the style and passion of Dish’n Dames featured chef this week, Misti Norris.
Chef Misti is known as a unique force in the Dallas culinary scene. Her creative out-of-the-box approach and somewhat uncommon techniques have enticed and impressed the masses throughout her career. Her dedication to and passion for sustainability, preservation and foraging greatly influences, if not mandates, her menu. Through extensive travel throughout the United States and by working alongside legendary culinary influencers like Tom Spicer, Misti gained substantial knowledge of wildflowers, berries, vegetation and numerous unconventional elements from the earth that add depth and complex layers to her dishes. From her first food job at a retirement home to her nationwide pop-ups and now standalone Petra and the Beast, Misti has always welcomed new challenges and raised the bar on her own — always focused on delivering interesting and creative food, primarily sourced locally and with great respect to the ingredients. She is a visionary and has continued to delight and surprise along her journey — and done so without formal training. From her earliest kitchen jobs to Nonna, Bijoux, FT33, and Small Brewpub, Misti leveraged hard work and mentorships to fine tune and hone her craft. Now the owner and executive chef of Petra and the Beast in Dallas, Texas, she has not relented and continues to develop new techniques that keep her at the height of her game. She has earned numerous awards, including James Beard Semifinalist and Eater Dallas’ 2016 Best Chef Award. Focused on building longstanding partnerships with farms, foraging for local ingredients — and experimenting with the art of both fermentation and fire -- Misti delivers extraordinary one-of-a-kind experiences to her guests week after week. Visit www.petraandthebeast.com for details on her casual counter service offerings and Saturday reservation-only tasting menu. |
Featured DishHandmade Cavatelli & Morcilla |