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Uchiko Pastry Chef Alum Joins Anticipated Counter 3. Five. VII

Sarah Prieto is the latest hire at the Congress Avenue restaurant.

Counter 3.Five.VII under construction
Counter 3.Five.VII under construction
Counter 3.Five.VII/Facebook
Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.

Downtown Counter 3. Five. VII hired former Uchiko pastry chef Sarah Prieto today, according to a press release. Prieto, who previously worked in California at Mayfield Bakery & Café and Saison, joins a staff that includes chef de cuisine Damien Brockway and sommelier Jason Huerta.

Run by Lawrence Kocurek and Eric Earthman, the restaurant will only serve set three-, five-, or seven-course meals in its intimate 26-seat chef’s counter. The opening is expected to happen sometime this winter or spring. The full press release follows below.

COUNTER 3 . FIVE . VII ROUNDS OUT TEAM WITH HIRE OF PASTRY CHEF
Executive Chef Lawrence Kocurek and Owner Eric Earthman, Hire Sarah Prieto, Formerly of Uchiko

AUSTIN, TX (January 28, 2015) – Executive Chef Lawrence Kocurek and Owner Eric Earthman are excited to announce the completion of the opening team for Counter 3 . FIVE . VII with the hire of pastry chef, Sarah Prieto.

On the heels of announcing the hires of Jason Huerta as sommelier, Allison Welsh as floor manager, and Damien Brockway as chef de cuisine, Kocurek and Earthman have rounded out the team with experience spanning both coasts and an array of accomplishments.

"When interviewing for this position, we were looking for a passionate pastry chef who was also skilled in savory; Sarah was the perfect candidate to round out our team," said Chef Kocurek.

As a graduate of The French Culinary Institute with a Grand Diploma of Pastry Arts, Prieto brings a wealth of skill and technique to the team as pastry chef. Prieto has held positions as baker at Mayfield Bakery & Café, lead pastry cook at Wayfare Tavern, pastry assistant at Saison in San Francisco, and most recently as pastry lead at Uchiko in Austin, Texas.

The restaurant will be a place where chefs and diners come together for an intimate dining experience centered around a 26-seat chef's counter, offering contemporary seasonal cuisine in fixed course options tailored to your appetite. The restaurant will bring a new, interactive concept and dining experience to Austin as each dish will be prepared and personally delivered by the chef team as guests watch and savor.

Counter 3 . FIVE . VII will be located at 315 Congress Avenue, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78701. For more information and updates on the opening, please visit www.counter3fivevii.com.