fount.jpg

Brian Okin (Verve, Dinner in the Dark) has taken over the kitchen at Fountain (34105 Chagrin Blvd., 216-755-1225) in Moreland Hills, which opened just over three months ago. He is replacing opening chef Donna Chriszt. His first day on the job is today.

“Whether it was me or somebody else, the owners were going to make a change,” Okin explains.

He says that he will continue with the European small-plate concept as it is and has been successful. Diners will begin to see some seasonal tweaks representing Okin’s influence, but there will be no wholesale changes.

Okin admits that his biggest challenge will be working in a kitchen that lacks many typical pieces of equipment. This one is limited to induction burners and an oven.

This article appears in Sep 21-27, 2011.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

3 replies on “Donna Chriszt Out as Chef of Fountain; Brian Okin Steps In”

  1. Chiszt’s goose was cooked and was chopped from the staff because her half-baked ideas were panned by the clients. Bottom line is she couldn’t cut it.

  2. Donna Chriszt is in my opinion one of the best chefs out there. she is a very hard working and dilligent lady! I remember opening fountain and michael rolland there to taste her food, michael lyons, and the head man for chefs garden to metion a few good men. the reviews of her food have all been overwhelming good. today bartending a young lady came in and ordered some food and was sooooo happy asked to speak to the chef and said how the food was being accepted. i regretably had to tell her that she was let go today. she then said that she understood because this style of great food is underappreciated in cleveland and was very sad, told her will rely message and hope you read this, donna, my friend! all the great ones seem to be never appreciated till gone, miss you! george harouvis

  3. Chef Donna is a great talent, and great person, and will certainly continue to make her way in this industry. Fountain is also fortunate to have Chef Okin – he will continue with the high standards set by Donna, while adding his personal touch. As chefs, we can control the quality and presentation of our food, but we are helpless against others’ interpretations and personal visions…that’s the nature of the biz. Head down, create the best food you can, and stay true to yourself…as chefs, sometimes that’s the best we can do.

Comments are closed.