Patrick Person, Owner
Patrick Person started his career working Saturday mornings at his mother's restaurant Adrian's. He worked in the restaurant business until he left for the Army in 1982. When he returned he came back to Adrian's to manage the restaurant until 1988 when Patrick and brother Chris remodeled the old Stone Toad and opened the legendary Tav on the Ave. The Tav was the first tavern to serve Buffalo wings. Today they have sold over 5 million! It was in 2001 that Adrian's closed their doors and Patrick opened The Neighbor's Italian Bistro.
Lacey Lueth, Executive chef
Lacey Lueth is the head chef at The Neighbor's Italian Bistro. She is a graduate of South Central Technical College with a degree in Culinary Arts. Lacey was awarded 2006 Best Young Chef in 2006 by Chaine de Rotisseurs young chef competition. She has worked for chefs Michael Goodman and Rino Baglio and has gained experience working and dinning out in the twin cities after college.
Lacey continues to look for new recipes and keep up with what is going on with the restaurant scene. She volunteers at Kids Café in St. Louis Park teaching "at risk" children and teenagers kitchen skills and etiquette. She enjoys cooking for people who want to be entertained. Lacey is willing to create anything if people are willing to try it. Her favorite dish to prepare is the one you order while dinning at The Neighbor's!
Carrie Kolander, Manager
Carrie Kolander started in the restaurant business at the age of 15 as a dishwasher and pizza cook in her hometown of Le Center. A year later she started cooking. After graduating high school and still cooking for the restaurant, Carrie went on to South Central Technical College for their chef and restaurant management programs.
After college Carrie worked as a kitchen supervisor for a local restaurant until 2002 when she became general manager for The Neighbor's Italian Bistro. Carrie enjoys making customer's dining experience a memorable one and looks forward to seeing you!
Jessica Bluhm, Pastry Chef
Jessica Bluhm is the pastry chef at The Neighbor's Italian Bistro. She is a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. She recently moved back to the Greater Mankato area after working for D’Amico Kitchens in Naples FL and Minneapolis MN. Jessica enjoys chocolate and candy making. She is excited to be making desserts for you and also creates unique desserts for DINO’S Pizzeria and Tav on the Ave.
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