Jim Fiala facts for kids

Jim Fiala is a famous chef who owns two popular restaurants in the St. Louis, Missouri area. His restaurants are called The Crossing, located in Clayton, Missouri, and Acero, found in Maplewood, Missouri.

Early Life and Education

Jim Fiala grew up in the St. Louis area, living in places like Crestwood and Sunset Hills. He finished high school at Parkway West High School in 1983. Later, he went to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he earned a degree in Finance.

Even when he was young, Jim Fiala's parents introduced him to fancy restaurants. For his 13th birthday, he ate at Tony's, a very special restaurant in St. Louis. When his family traveled, they always tried to eat at restaurants that were highly recommended in famous food guides.

Starting His Cooking Journey

After college, Jim Fiala had a job promoting professional wrestling for a short time. But his cooking career began in 1988 when he joined Clipper Cruise Lines. He started as a deckhand, helping on the ship. When a spot opened up in the kitchen, he decided to try it. He quickly realized he loved cooking!

In 1989, Fiala came back to St. Louis and worked for a catering company. To learn even more about cooking, he enrolled in the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco in 1991. While studying there, he also gained experience working with well-known chefs like Jeremiah Trotter.

Cooking in Big Cities

After graduating from culinary school in 1992, Jim Fiala moved to Chicago. He got a job at a famous restaurant called Spiaggia. He started by doing all kinds of kitchen tasks, learning everything from the ground up.

In 1994, Jim Fiala got a big opportunity. He moved to New York City to work at Restaurant Daniel, a very famous place owned by Chef Daniel Boulud. In this busy kitchen, Fiala cooked vegetables and fish. He even made all the pasta for a while! While he worked there, Restaurant Daniel earned a top rating from the New York Times.

After his time in New York, Fiala was asked to cook at a resort in Puerto Rico.

Returning to St. Louis

Jim Fiala decided to return to St. Louis in late 1997. On April 15, 1998, he opened his first restaurant, The Crossing, in Clayton. He named it "The Crossing" because the food mixed Italian and French cooking styles. The restaurant quickly became very popular and was seen as a leader in fine dining in St. Louis.

Famous food critics wrote great things about The Crossing. R.W. Apple Jr. from the New York Times praised the delicious food, like poached skate and roasted beets. Joe Bonwich, writing for the Riverfront Times, said The Crossing had a "truly unique and innovative style" and hoped Fiala would stay in St. Louis.

In 2011, Fiala opened another restaurant called Liluma Side Door in the Central West End, but it closed in 2012.

Acero Restaurant

Jim Fiala's Italian restaurant is called Acero, located in Maplewood, Missouri.

Acero was featured in the September 2008 issue of Bon Appetit magazine, a very popular food magazine. The cover even said, "The Best Italian Food in America!" Inside, Acero was highlighted with a recipe for its cauliflower ravioli. It was the only restaurant from St. Louis included in the feature.

Fiala describes Acero as an "artisan" restaurant. He wants it to be a place that celebrates the skilled Italian food makers who have made our tastes and expectations for food much higher.

Jim Fiala's Approach to Cooking

Jim Fiala is a very involved owner. He visits both of his restaurants every day to make sure everything is perfect. His main goal is to ensure the highest quality food and service. He always tells his team that their mission is to make "every meal a great meal."

Jim Fiala is married and has three children.