Aaron Russell Joins Restaurant Eugene as Pastry Chef

Chef Linton Hopkins announced that Aaron Russell is joining Restaurant Eugene as Pastry Chef.  In addition to the desert menu, tasting desserts and nightly mignardises, Russell is supervising the cheese program.

Says Hopkins of his newest hire, “he brings refinement, creativity and sophistication to the table, which is the perfect complement to my menu.  He’s just a great fit for us.  He is a true professional and a nice guy.  I couldn’t be happier.”

After culinary school, Russell’s culinary career started with Johannes Klapdohr at Nikolai’s Roof. He later worked as pastry chef under Bruno Menard at The Dining Room in the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and later with Guenter Seeger as the Pastry Chef at Seeger’s namesake restaurant. It was Chef Seeger’s impeccable approach to local, organic ingredients and simple preparations which has held the most influence on Russell’s current style.

At only 23 years of age, Russell became the youngest ever 5 Star pastry chef.  His work at The Chocolate Bar saw him nominated in 2008 and 2009 for “Outstanding Pastry Chef” by the prestigious James Beard Foundation.