Manabu Inoue Of Morimoto Takes Over As Executive Pastry Chef At Butterfield 9

"The blend of fruit and chocolate are the harmony at the foundation of my dishes. My pastries are meant as a refreshing encore to a meal." Chef Manabu Inoue

Refreshing and crisp, Washingtonians are about to experience the joys of Spiced Melon Soup with Soba Tuile and Ivory Flan with Passion Gelee. Chef Manabu Inoue of Morimoto fame takes over as Butterfield 9 Restaurant's new Executive Pastry Chef.

A unique perspective to pastry, Chef Manabu's dishes are designed to refresh and uplift diners as the finale to a generous meal. His Japanese heritage and French training meld to create crisp dishes that incorporate fruit and chocolate in a semi-sweet delivery.

Born in Tokyo, Chef Manabu, woke every morning to the luscious aroma of fresh baked croissants made by his mother. While his love of the buttery breads instilled a passion for French food and a desire to cook, Chef had no intention of studying pastry. It was not until his first day at culinary school that Chef Manabu realized he had an issue which made his classes challenging; he despised the sight of blood and became queasy and nervous in its presence. Unwilling to abandon his desire to cook, Chef enrolled in Pastry and unearthed a newfound enthusiasm.

Upon earning his Diplome de Patisserie from the Ritz-Escoffier Ecole de Gastronomie in Paris, Chef Manabu began perfecting his craft in kitchens throughout France and Switzerland. His promising reputation earned him pastry positions at the Michelin One-Star Restaurant Lion d'Or in Geneva, Switzerland and the Michelin Two-Star Hotel du Rhone, also in Geneva. Named by Chef Manabu as one of the most influential moves in his career, he began a four-year tenure as Pastry Sous Chef under Chef Joel Robuchon at the Chateau Restaurant Taillevant Robuchon in Tokyo, Japan. Chef credits his passion for simplicity and fervent concentration during preparation to observing and working with Chef Robuchon. Desiring to experience more of the world and expand his knowledge of global pastry, Chef accepted the position of Pastry Chef at the AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton Dining Room in Atlanta, Georgia. Drawn back to his heritage in Japanese cooking, Chef moved to Philadelphia in 2004 when offered the position of Executive Pastry Chef to Iron-Chef Masaharu Morimoto at his restaurants in Philadelphia and New York City.

As the Pastry Chef at Butterfield 9, Chef Manabu creates inventive pastries such as Strawberry Salad with Lime Basil Sorbet and Salty Caramel-Chocolate Tart with Chocolate Sorbet. Chef Manabu's unique approach to pastry provides a perfect compliment to the innovative dishes on Executive Chef Michael Harr's menus, creating a flavor playground of distinct tastes.

Butterfield 9 Restaurant is located at 600 14th St. NW in Washington, DC. Executive Chef Michael Harr offers a menu of Modern American cuisine with a classic twist. Butterfield 9 is one block from National and Warner theatres and convenient to the Verizon Center, art galleries, and museums. Information and reservations are available by calling (202) 289-8810 or visiting www.butterfield9.com.

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