SOUTH FLORIDA CHEF NAMED A “TURKEY TRENDSETTERâ€
BY THE NATIONAL TURKEY FEDERATION
Lola’s on Harrison Gives Comfort this Holiday Season with A Turkey Recipe and Festive Side Dishes to “Gobble Gobbleâ€
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) has named South Florida’s Michael Wagner, chef and owner of Lola’s on Harrison, as one of three “Turkey Trendsetters” for 2008. Chef Wagner’s Pan Roasted Turkey Tenderloins recipe garnished with festive side dishes is available on the popular “Turkey Trendsetter” feature at EatTurkey.com.
“An innovator in the kitchen, Chef Wagner was chosen as one of this year’s culinary leaders for his use of turkey and how it is seasoned and paired with local ingredients, ” said Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF’s vice president of marketing and communications. “Wagner’s interpretation of turkey — simple with robust flavors, traditional side dishes with a modern-day spin, and his commitment to supporting regional produce makes him a stand out to his patrons and the culinary community.â€
The “Turkey Trendsetter†feature showcases how chefs across the country are incorporating turkey on their menus in creative and unique ways. At his elegant and contemporary American restaurant, Chef Wagner serves turkey with elements of the holidays, which is extremely popular among guests year-round even in the warm South Florida climate. His Pan Roasted Turkey Tenderloins with Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, Creamy Polenta, and Pomegranate-Cherry Gravy has been the most popular menu item since the restaurant opened in July 2007.
“The dish is a play on the flavor profiles you would expect at the holiday table, which is very comforting for our guests. The tenderloin product is underused in South Florida so when our guests see it on the menu served with cherry gravy, it peaks their interest,” said Chef Wagner.
Aimed at being value-oriented, Chef Wagner strives to provide his guests with the freshest and finest ingredients available. All of the indigenous fruits and vegetables at his disposal from local farms in South Florida enable him to be extremely inventive, and turkey’s versatility lends itself well to the dishes he puts on the menu.
“Turkey is a blank canvas for mouth-watering combinations of flavors,” explained Chef Wagner. “Pairing it with tropical fruits and vegetables like mango, papaya, star fruit, and yucca makes great dishes.”
Chef Wagner’s background is in fine dining and traditional steak house restaurants. At Lola’s on Harrison, his philosophy and approach to cooking is very simple – start out with great ingredients, support local farms, and use as many resources as possible. For Chef Wagner this has translated into an extremely successful restaurant that has received accolades from the New York Times, Miami Herald, and in 2008 he was named a “Noteworthy Newcomer” by Zagat.
To access the “Turkey Trendsetter†information, visit www.EatTurkey.com and click on the “Featured Trendsetter†box. For more information about Lola’s on Harrison, visit www.lolasonharrison.com.
About the National Turkey Federation
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the national advocate for all segments of the $8 billion turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities that increase demand for its members’ products by protecting and enhancing their ability to profitably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious products. Its award-winning Web site, www.EatTurkey.com, offers consumers, food professionals and the media an extensive library of information including healthy eating and restaurant trends, turkey cuts and purchasing tips, turkey nutrition and cooking techniques, and turkey facts and trivia. Additionally, the site presents a searchable database of more than 1,800 recipes, offers a recipe E-mail program and provides special seasonal and holiday ideas. The National Turkey Federation is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
About Lola’s on Harrison
Lola’s on Harrison is located at 2032 Harrison Street in Hollywood, Fla. The restaurant is open for dinner Tues- Thursday from 6-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 6-11 p.m. and Sunday from 6-9 p.m.; closed Mondays. Ample free parking is located behind the restaurant. All major credit cards accepted. For more information, call 954.927.9851 or visit www.lolasonharrison.com.
