The PLate on Main building process was an 18-month activity when the lights go on in mid-November. The Peterson family, Lori, Bill, and son Andrew, has designed buildings together in the past, but PLate on Main is very different with input from many sources. The constant has been the building objective: To create a community asset, bringing people together to eat, drink, and laugh.

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Lori and Bill have been together over 30 years with a presence on Prior Lake since 1998. Lori has supported Bill through ventures that have included a wide array of business investments and ownership. Starting a restaurant grew from discussions with local friends about a love for the community and creating an opportunity to have fun together. The process has taught everyone that a great deal of work, learning, and even disagreement comes before the fun can start!!  As with any worthwhile task, the process makes you stronger,…

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Andrew, a 2010 Iowa State graduate with a degree in architecture, has become a well-known residential architectural designer with a modern focus. The restaurant building has a modern aesthetic while still satisfying the City’s vision for Main Street. Andrew’s creativity has extended to thinking of the PLate name and other branding activities.

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Lori has added her interior design touch throughout the building process. Bill understands construction from his management experience at United Properties, and quickly chose Zeman Construction, the Twin Cities premier restaurant construction company, to build the restaurant. Bill also knows how to structure a deal and read financial statements, but (hmmm,…) who is going to operate the restaurant and keep the PLate customers happy?!?

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The formal make-up of the PLate operating team has evolved and was just finalized in early September. These daily operators will be the backbone of PLate, and we are proud and excited to announce these leaders!!

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The so-called “back of the house” will be led by executive chef Miguel Urrutia and Honorio Rivera. Miguel and his family are well-known to Prior Lake on many fronts.  Their El Jefe food truck is a fixture at the Farmers Market and community events. They have lived in the Prior Lake/Savage community for eight years, Rojin teaches school and often works side-by-side with Miguel, and their children attend Prior Lake schools. Miguel is very well-known in the Twin Cities and even nationally for opening restaurants. He has had a critical role opening more than 15 Rainforest Cafes, three Houlihan’s locations, and Pittsburgh Blue in Maple Grove.  Miguel was the executive chef at Pittsburgh Blue for 11 years before leaving in May of 2018 to start El Jefe Cocina & Bar at 5309 Lyndale Ave. S. Everywhere Miguel works, he is either surrounded by family or creates a family atmosphere. That family quality (in addition to being an outstanding chef!) makes him an ideal leader for PLate.

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Honorio Rivera has been working at Perron’s Sul Lago for 15 years, ever since he made the long trek from Ecuador as a teenager.  He started as a dishwasher, learned cooking over the years, and worked his way to head chef.  Honorio is well-known for both his food and infectious personality when he comes out of the Sul Lago kitchen.  He plans to continue his full-time role at Perron’s but work his magic at PLate with his friend Miguel whenever possible. 

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The “front of the house” leaders, Matt Kearney and Matthew Winter, also bring experience and friendship to PLate.  They first met at Outback Steakhouse where Matt Kearney worked for 15 years.  Matt is well-known in the Prior Lake community having grown up here, graduated from Prior Lake High School, and worked in the local foodservice industry.  Matt was a fixture behind the Perron’s rail for eight years and helped open Charlie’s On Prior.  It doesn’t get any better than Matt Kearney behind the bar!

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Matthew Winter loves the hospitality industry and creating a friendly dining experience.  His foodservice experience covers 16 years, with the last nine at Parasole Restaurants including Pittsburgh Blue in Edina most recently.  Matthew is a student of the restaurant industry who enjoys training and planning.  More importantly, he cares about the key components of operating a modern-day facility: people, food, wine, and craft cocktails.  Matt cannot wait to open the doors at PLate!

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So what is PLate?  It is a melting pot of diverse talents: a financial guy, an interior designer, an architectural designer, two talented chefs who each started their journey in other countries, a hospitality connoisseur, and a hard-working local guy who has a knack for making people smile.  The common thread is that everyone is a part-owner of the restaurant, and there is a desire to be part of a hard-working team focused on making the community proud.  Now it is time for the journey to really begin,…