Brauhaus Schmitz Gets Its First New Chef in Eight Years

Chef Jeremy Nolen is leaving Brauhaus Schmitz, the popular German restaurant on South Street known for its beer list and festivals. Nolen has been with the restaurant since it opened in 2009. Jessica Nolen, Jeremy’s wife, is pastry chef for Brauhaus and its sister spot Whetstone Tavern, and owner of the now-closed Little Bird bakery. The couple, who met while working in the former Coquette, in the same space as Whetstone, is saying goodbye to Philly and striking out for greener pastures in Reading, where Jeremy has family, according to BillyPenn.com. He’s taking a job at Belly Kitchen & Drinkery and told BillyPenn.com the impetus behind the move was more time for family and outdoor activities.

Taking over for Nolen at Brauhaus Schmitz is Valentin Bay, originally from Germany. He’s leaving Arde in Wayne to join the South Street restaurant. Nolen already knew Bay and suggested him for the role. Bay has been living in the U.S. for eight years.

The Nolens, authors of New German Cooking: Recipes for Classics Revisited will stay on through the end of the month and Bay will take over January 1, 2018.

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• A Peek Inside the Brauhaus Schmitz Expansion