Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Chef Jett Mora of Wolfgang Puck Catering (left), Texas-branded toast (right)
When Bon Appétit Management Company decided not to renew its contract with The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth this year, speculation circled as to who would be taking over the museum's food and beverage operations, particularly its signature restaurant, Café Modern. There was one big name in particular that often found its way into such a conversation, and on Tuesday, The Modern confirmed that rumor to be true.
Wolfgang Puck Catering is indeed coming to lead Café Modern and all of the museum's catering and events, starting this spring.
“Wolfgang Puck Catering brings an international reputation for excellence to Café Modern, and we look forward to working with their team,” Marla Price, director at The Modern, said in a statement.
Now, Puck himself won't be taking over as chef; but another member of his team, chef Jett Mora, will lead The Modern's culinary operations. Mora hails from Los Angeles; he graduated from the Academy of Culinary Education in California and joined the Wolfgang Puck Catering team in 2011. He worked at the company's flagship Hollywood & Highland kitchen, creating menus for events such as the Oscars Governors Ball. Mora would eventually find himself serving as executive chef at Puck’s West Hollywood restaurant, Red Seven, and also developing recipes at Wolfgang’s Test Kitchen.
Mora's latest gig has him moving to Fort Worth, and according to the museum, he has already spent time in the area with regional executive chef Drew Swanson, developing relationships with farmers and purveyors. Mora will create "seasonal menus rooted in Texas ingredients combined with Wolfgang’s signature touch," according to The Modern.
Wolfgang Puck Catering has long had a presence in the Fort Worth-Dallas area through restaurants like the Nasher Cafe at the Nasher Sculpture Center. “We have been fortunate to be a part of the Texas culinary landscape for the past 13 years, and we are excited to expand our footprint in the state with our new partnership with The Modern,” Swanson said in a statement.
Mora joins Café Modern general manager Roxanne McIarry, who has been with the museum for the past 17 years. Meanwhile, former chef Denise Shavandy has moved onto other ventures — a pop-up dinner series called Spork & Spice, slated to launch April 11.
Café Modern is expected to open this spring, offering weekday lunch, Friday happy hour, Friday dinner, and weekend brunch, with seating available both indoors and on the outdoor patio. More information is available at themodern.org.
