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Top Chef At Bern's Quits Post

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By JEFF HOUCK, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2007

TAMPA - Jeannie Pierola, executive chef for South Tampa culinary icons Bern's Steak House and SideBerns, has left the restaurants.

Owner David Laxer, whose father, Bern, founded the steakhouse five decades ago on Monday confirmed her departure.

Jeannie Pierola

"Jeannie's culinary and business contributions to Bern's and SideBern's were tremendous and we wish her much success as she departs to pursue other opportunities," Laxer said in a statement. "There were just differing philosophies about moving forward in our businesses."

Laxer and Pierola most recently were working to build The Epicurean, a food-themed boutique condominium hotel across South Howard Avenue from the steakhouse. Plans for the resort, which as recently as September was projected to open in early 2009, include a new restaurant, spa, wine shop and deluxe room service. As yet, only the parking garage has been completed.

Pierola joined Bern's nine years ago after stints as chef and owner of Boca in her native Ybor City, at Cool Beans off Platt Street in Tampa and Tia Lena's Restaurant on Anna Maria Island.

Laxer said culinary teams at both restaurants are reorganizing and announcements of changes will be made soon. The hotel project will continue on schedule, he said.

Pierola said Monday that the conflict had "been coming for some time" but would not say what specifically caused her to leave.

"Our visions started to fork a while back," she said. "We've been coming to terms with that. That's what you do when you're in business and you care about what you do."

Pierola said that there is no acrimony with Laxer, with whom she was a partner in SideBern's.

Bill Shumate, co-owner of Bella's Italian Cafe on South Howard for 20 years, said he hadn't heard about the change. He praised Pierola as "very creative."

"When you lose an executive chef like that, the short-term won't matter," he said. "Long-term, that's something else. They would need someone who could fill her shoes. Obviously, the sooner the better."

Reporter Jeff Houck can be reached at (813) 259-7324 and jhouck@tampatrib.com.

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