Chefs Chris Curtiss, James Porter Return to the Valley

It's been almost a year since chef Chris Curtiss, former (and original) executive chef at Noca, left the Valley to take a job in Northern California. But now the chef, who's resume also includes opening Sam Fox's North Italia in Arcadia and serving as executive chef of Michael Mina's Bourbon...

By Lauren Saria

December 14, 2015

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It's been almost a year since chef Chris Curtiss, former (and original) executive chef at Noca, left the Valley to take a job in Northern California. But now the chef, whose résumé also includes opening Sam Fox's North Italia in Arcadia and serving as executive chef of Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak, has returned, according to the Arizona Republic.

Curtiss, who was working in Santa Clara as executive chef of Mina'a restaurants at Levi’s Stadium, is now working as a corporate chef for Fox Restaurant concepts. He'll be developing recipes for use throughout the Scottsdale-based company's restaurants, and will be in the kitchen for pop-up dinner events at Little Cleo's Seafood Legend starting in the new year.

Also back in town is chef James Porter, mostly recently known as the chef/owner of Petite Maison in Scottsdale. Around the same time as Curtiss' departure, Porter sold that restaurant and moved with his wife, Wendy, to Wisconsin to help renovate and reopen the Hotel Northland in Green Bay. Porter's still involved with that project, but has relocated back to Arizona and will be announcing his plans soon.

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