Both Restaurant Alma and the new Brasa Rotisserie in Minneapolis are distinguished by the organic, seasonal food each serves and the chef that owns them, Alex Roberts. Alex, a two-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Midwest Chef, was raised in Minneapolis, trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York, and worked in several kitchens around Minneapolis before opening his own restaurants. Restaurant Alma is named after the Spanish phrase alma del tierra or "soul of the earth," and both restaurants remains true to this mantra, sourcing fresh food from Minnesota farms, including Cedar Summit Farm in New Prague.
Dave and Florence Minar of Cedar Summit share Alex's commitment to organic food and sustainable practices. For over thirty years, the Minars, who are also Food Alliance Certified, have refrained from using chemicals and have deliberately kept their farm small and family-run. They raise grass-finished dairy cows on just under 200 acres of land and bottle and process the dairy on site. With help from their children and grandchildren, the Minars deliver much of their freshly-bottled milk to customers in the area.
It is no surprise that both Restaurant Alma and Brasa Rotisserie have received numerous accolades in local press due to not only Alex's culinary expertise, but also the fresh, delicious food sourced from Minnesota farms like Cedar Summit.
