Diners believe Chef Michael Minden has a magic touch when he’s in the kitchen, especially when it comes to desserts. Look-ing at his background, it shouldn’t come as a surprise, since he first honed his skills as an executive chef over several years at the original Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resorts as one of the first culinary hires to work at the park when it opened in 1971.

Today, Chef Michael and his wife Carol own Michael V’s Restaurant and Bar in Tulsa, OK. Since it opened in 2006, Michael V’s “classical American cuisine” has been a critic and foodie favorite. Every rave comes with a request – save room for dessert! Michael V’s desserts are legendary. All are made from scratch by Chef Michael and led by his coconut cream pie, which was voted “Best Dessert” in Oklahoma by Oklahoma Magazine. “Some customers even ask if we’ve made enough pies when they call to make a reservation,” said Chef Michael.

His latest award winner is the Snickers Brownie Pie, which was named Oklahoma Division Winner in the US Foods Next Top Product Contest. “It’s the chocoholic cousin of my coconut cream pie,” said Chef Michael. “It all came to me in a dream.” That “dream” was sparked by a challenge from Carol.

“IT ALL CAME TO ME IN A DREAM.”“My wife loves chocolate. I basically created it for her,” admits Chef Michael. “She loves my coconut cream, too, but she said, ‘Well, it’s not chocolate…’”

So after two months of experimenting in the kitchen, a dream became reality – flaky pie crust topped with chewy brownies, Oreo cookie pieces, Snickers bars, a no bake cheesecake all topped with creamy chocolate and edged with chopped peanuts. It’s quickly becoming the coconut cream pie’s rival.

His many years as an executive chef fed his need for perfection. In fact, Chef Michael will plate nothing unless it’s impeccable in every way. “I’ll throw away an entire meal before serving it, if I don’t think it’s exactly right,” he said. “I have a food passion and just want to please people with food. I long to have people say, ‘the food was incredible’ and see them leave Michael V’s with a wonderful experience.”

For more information on Michael V’s Restaurant& Bar, visit michaelvsrestaurant.com today.

US FOODS

NEXT TOP PRODUCT PROFILE

NAME: Michael Minden, Executive Chef/Co-OwnerRESTAURANT: Michael V’s Restaurant & Bar, Tulsa, OKNTP ENTRY: Snickers Brownie Pie

OKLAHOMA DIVISION WINNER