Chef John Stuhlman is no longer executive chef at Eclipse Restaurant. Former sous chef Patrick Viehmann has taken his place. Stuhlman told The Scoop that, although he saw Eclipse as “the perfect fit” during the two years he helmed the kitchen, he was ready for a change and that his leaving was an amicable departure between he and owner Joe Edwards. “I can’t say enough nice things about Joe,” Stuhlman said. “He’s a really cool guy.”
Currently, Stuhlman is doing working on several projects including his cousin Daniel Porzel’s new spot, Sauce on the Side. According to the website, Sauce on the Side “is a fast casual style restaurant specializing in gourmet calzones.” Porzel, along with business partners and friends Brendan Maciariello and Ryan Mangialardo, opened Sauce on the Side just this past Monday at 903 Pine St., downtown. As reported by Byron Kerman for St. Louis Magazine, virtually every ingredient at Sauce on the Side that can be made in-house will be.
Stuhlman eventually sees himself as executive chef in another kitchen, though he added, “I’m going to be selective and not jump on the first boat that passes by if it’s not right.” In the meantime, catch him at Sauce on the Side or this weekend at Overlook Farm’s 3rd Annual Sweet Summer Luv-Luv Festival, where he will be serving up Friday’s entree and Saturday’s seafood course.
This article appears in August 2012.