Filini Bar & Restaurant Appoints Carolina Diaz as Executive Chef

Filini Bar and Restaurant (221 N. Columbus Drive) promotes former chef de cuisine, Carolina Diaz, to the executive chef position at the acclaimed Italian restaurant located inside the award-winning Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago.

Chef Diaz brings not only her experience as sous chef at Filini but also a wealth of prior training in a variety of different cuisines. She completed her culinary training at the Illinois Institute of Art, where she learned the importance of understanding the culture of food and the flavor that is associated with each region of the world. After graduating, chef began exploring a wide range of techniques from some of the top chefs around the city. She began her journey with a focus on Asian cuisine and honed her skills at Chef Bill Kim’s highly acclaimed Chicago restaurants Belly Shack, Urbanbelly, and BellyQ. Her interest in exploring different cultures led her to train with Chef Christian Fantoni at Filini when the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago first opened in 2011. Inspired by Fantoni’s novel twist on classic Italian recipes, she has since adopted a similar approach to her cooking style.

Diaz puts authenticity and local sourcing at the forefront of her approach to cooking. “At Filini, I want to serve the best ingredients in their most pure and simple form,” says Diaz. “I look forward to maintaining the classic and simple Italian culinary tradition that is at the core of Filini.” Guests can anticipate seasonally driven, classic Italian fare bursting with the true flavors of Italy.

About Filini
Filini is a 150-seat, contemporary, Italian restaurant and bar experience in the landmark Aqua Tower located at 221 North Columbus Drive in the premier, upper-upscale Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Chef Carolina Diaz presents unpretentious, yet exquisitely prepared Italian fare, featuring Italian imports as well as local ingredients, and an expansive wine list featuring more than 100 Italian wines. Filini will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can make reservations by calling +1 (312) 477-0234 or online at www.filinichicago.com.