Ben Poremba’s hotly anticipated fried chicken spot now has a chef on the roster. Chris DiMercurio confirmed today via text message that he will be “running the kitchen” as chef at Poremba’s Old Standard, as first reported by St. Louis Magazine.
DiMercurio, who has worked in the kitchens at Taste, Vino Nadoz, and most recently Element, was mum about further details about his role at the new space in the Botanical Heights neighborhood, slated to open in mid-September. Poremba did not immediately return request for comment.
Old Standard is just one of many projects Poremba has his hands involved with around town. In addition to Elaia, Olio, Salume Beddu and La Patisserie Choquette, Poremba is also a partner at United Provisions, an international grocery store, on track to open Aug. 11 in The Loop on the street level of Washington University’s new student housing complex. His interest in tapping local chefs extends there, too, having recently brought Naomi Hamamura, formerly of Wasabi, to United to helm the raw bar.
This article appears in Readers’ Choice 2014.