MPR News Presents "Bright Ideas" with Chef Isaac Becker and MPR Host Stephen Smith June 21

Jun 6, 2011

WHAT: MPR News' "Bright Ideas" series welcomes Isaac Becker, executive chef and owner of 112 Eatery and Bar La Grassa and recent James Beard Award winner for best chef in the Midwest.

Becker and Smith will discuss cooking, creativity and the art of a running a restaurant. Everyone is welcome to stay after the event to mingle and talk food.

More about Isaac Becker
Becker's interest in fine food began while he was just a child. In the '70s his mother worked at two of the Twin Cities' top restaurants - the Northstar Hotel's Rosewood Room and the IDS Tower Orion Room. Her work introduced Becker to both fine food and the restaurant scene at an early age. He credits his father, an abstract painter, with inspiring his food style and presentation skills. In addition, frequent childhood trips to New York City dining at culinary standouts such as TriBeCa's landmark Odeon restaurant, left a lasting impression on the budding chef.

112 Eatery and Bar La Grassa's success are a tribute to Becker, who before opening the restaurants cut his culinary chops at some of the Twin Cities' most well-respected eateries including Cafe/Bar Lurcat, Campiello, D'Amico Cucina and the former Lowry's.

More about MPR News' "Bright Ideas"
MPR News' "Bright Ideas" series offers fresh ideas on big issues. Host Stephen Smith invites Minnesota luminaries to talk about their passions with a live studio audience.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 21 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: The UBS Forum at Minnesota Public Radio, 480 Cedar, St. Paul.

TICKETS: Admission is free, but reservations are required. RSVP by going to MPRNews.org and clicking on "events."