The Chef Connection: Mario Romero

MARIO ROMERO

Bio: He's 30, from Northeast Philly. Lives in Lancaster with wife Alison, 8-year-old daughter Vivienne and 2-this-month son Cole.

What's new? He's exec chef at the latest - first in Philly - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. It opened last week in Chestnut Hill (8400 Germantown Ave., 215-948-5600, ironhillbrewery.com).

Philadelphia restaurant connections: Tangerine, Angelina, Django, Striped Bass, Cuba Libre, Pumpkin.

Why Iron Hill? He had moved the family to Lancaster (his wife's from the area) and was working at Gibraltar Restaurant. When Iron Hill opened across the street, he'd stop in sometimes. Became head chef about 3 1/2 years ago. "The culture, the energy Iron Hill had to offer - I felt I had to be part of that."

Training: As a 16-year-old Northeast High sophomore, won a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Philadelphia in a Careers Through Culinary Arts Program competition.

Growing up: One of 10 kids (and the only boy) in a family in which "food was always a way to bring family together. No matter what problems the family had . . . you put a spread of dishes on the table and salsa music in the background, everybody was happy."

First food job: Age 14, busboy at Fisher's Seafood Restaurant on Castor Avenue. He had asked his dad for $120 Nike sneaks. Dad: "Are you out of your mind? Get a job."

Beer geek? No, but "I enjoy brewing with Paul [Rutherford, brewmaster at Iron Hill Chestnut Hill]. I enjoy creating beer dinners."

Beverage of choice: "The first thing I go to is a good bourbon."

Fave ingredient: Coriander.

Cheesesteak wid? "Whiz. Maybe some onions. That's it."

One more thing: "It's gotta be from Geno's."

Heroes: "Outside the kitchen, it would be my kids, by far."

And in the kitchen? "Whew . . . [hesitates] . . . the original chefs I worked with at Tangerine: Shane Solomon, Chris Painter, Robert Dacko, Chris Greway."

Learn more about Philly-area restaurants and chefs at The Restaurant Connection, philly.com/restaurantconnect.