The all new Via Umbria will open its doors very soon and part of its new offering is specially prepared Italian dinners to take home and enjoy, as well as special dinners and functions onsite.  To prepare these special meals, Via Umbria owners Bill and Suzy Menard are thrilled to announce that Jodie Steiner has joined the team, and said “Jodie has a love of authentic Italian food and a interest in locally grown produce and feeding families, and she will bring all that to Via Umbria this fall as full time chef preparing gourmet dinners to take home.”

Steiner said, “I’m so excited to join my good friend, Chef Vickie Reh, and the rest of the Via Umbria team to share our love of the most beautiful Italian food and culture.”

Jodie is originally from Chicago, where she trained in the kitchens of the most elite fine dining restaurants after graduating college. She then moved to DC to work with local farmers markets and nutrition education programs until she moved to Italy for several years, and explored all things Italian. “I loved exploring Italian culture, especially food markets and locally produced food specialties, learning about authentic Italian ingredients and local dishes.”

After returning to DC, Jodie built a personal chef business, where she created meals for local families—some of which may very well appear on the Via Umbria carry out menus.  She also specialized in special events and dinner parties, from rustic to elegant, which will certainly influence Via Umbria’s special evening dinner events.

What is Chef Steiner’s food philosophy?  “My food is the most creative, innovative cuisine that is firmly rooted in traditional methods, using the freshest, most authentic ingredients available. Cooking is most satisfying to me when it is based on personal relationships with the people producing the food I’m cooking, and with the people I’m cooking for.”

And that is the philosophy of the all new Via Umbria, a gathering place where people can enjoy the best food, wine, and Italian wares, and share in age-old Italian traditions—together.

Interested in Chef Steiner’s daily means and special dinners?  Send an email to events@viaumbria.com and we will send you menus and updates.

Ci Vediamo!

–Via Umbria