Friday, February 22nd, 2008, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomed two special guests for their debut performances with Maestro Mario Venzago. Twenty-one year old pianist Yuja Wang took the stage to perform a Beethoven piece while Chef Prosper Namias held a presentation of his own during the Encores with Mario & Friends following the symphony.

The Encores series features fun and informal post-concert events where the Maestro and friends entertain, inform and on this particular night, indulge. Maestro Venzago and Chef Prosper compared careers, swapped stories and answered audience questions during the event.

To accompany the Maestro's musical feat Chef Prosper presented a tapenade made of capers, olives, and anchovies for the ala carte encore. This traditional Provencal dish was like music to my mouth. Originally from Marseilles, France, Chef Prosper now splits his time between Provence and Broad Ripple (as I'm sure many of us would like to do).

While here in Broad Ripple, Chef Prosper has his spoon in many pots. He offers Chef À La Carte, an in-your-home cooking service and lessons. He also taught cooking classes at the Jewish Community Center and Williams-Sonoma and co-hosted the radio program Chef's Rendezvous on WICR 88.7 University of Indianapolis. [Prosper was also Chef at Renee's French Delicatessen]

To arrange an a la carte of your own, contact Chef Prosper at 259-7188 or pnamias@yahoo.com.