Top Chef Texas Season Nine contestant Richie Farina, whose family still resides in Riverview, will be conducting a cooking class on Thursday and Friday, February 9 and 10, at Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium in Brandon. 

From his humble beginnings working rking at the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium in Brandon during his high school years until 2001, Chef Richie Farina catapulted his career to greatness.  Now, after being one of the most popular contestants on the Bravo Network television show, Top Chef, Season 9, Farina is coming back to his hometown to demonstrate a few of his amazing culinary skills.

Farina grew up in Riverview in a large Italian family where food always played an important role. Rolling Pin owners, Chef Dave and Karen West are thrilled to have Richie show-off his culinary expertise to his hometown fans. 

“We knew how talented Richie was when he was an employee of ours and what a great success he would become in his future culinary career,” said Chef Dave West. “Chef Richie has a considerable local following of family, friends and associates, all of whom are looking forward to seeing him in action at Rolling Pin during his limited engagement.”

After graduation, Farina attended the College of Culinary Arts at Johnston and Wales University in Rhode Island. He became a three-time National Collegiate Ice Carving Champion and trained in several Boston restaurants while perfecting his culinary artistry. Farina currently holds the prominent position of executive sous chef at Moto Restaurant in Chicago, known as one of the most prestigious restaurants in the country.

On Thursday, February 9 and Friday, February 10, at 6:15 p.m., Farina will demonstrate his playful and whimsical style of cooking at Rolling Pin’s Culinary Center.  He will inspire attendees with his creative and unusual dishes. The fantastic menu for the evening will include crab “cake” with lemon cream cheese frosting, rib-eye and onion4 (onion four ways), braised chicken and roasted beets with puffed rice, potato puree and a “chili cheese dog” (milk chocolate, cake, raspberry and orange.) This is a demonstration-style class.

 The cost is $75 per person and seating is limited. Registration is necessary. For more information about location or to make your reservation, visit www.rollingpinonline.com or contact Kelly Bock at kbock@rollingpinonline.com or 653-2418 extension 201.

The Rolling Pin also offers cooking classes for all skill levels seven days a week and other celebrity classes are being offered throughout the year.

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Kelly Wise Valdes
Kelly Wise Valdes has been writing for the Osprey Observer since 2008. She graduated in 1989 from Florida Southern College with a B.S. in Communications and enjoys writing and traveling. She currently resides in northern Hillsborough County with her husband, David. When not traveling and writing, Kelly and her husband enjoy spending time with their five grown children (as well as their grandchildren) that still keep them very busy.