Born and trained in France, Master Chef José Gutierrez offers a surprisingly fresh perspective on French cooking. After studying nouvelle cuisine directly under the celebrated Chef Paul Bocuse, Chef Gutierrez arrived in the U.S. Drawn to the flavors of the South, Chef Gutierrez soon found himself in Memphis as Chef de Cuisine at the Peabody Hotel’s Chez Philippe.

Chef Gutierrez’s exploration of nouvelle Southern cuisine ultimately led him to open his own Encore Restaurant & Bar — where he embraces both his French heritage and traditional Southern tastes. Much to the delight of critics and patrons, his signature recipes like Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Mascarpone Polenta Cakes and Port Wine Reduction apply distinctly French flavors to the hearty dishes of the South.