Michelin-star Filipino food to Grace Greenville

From Pop-up to Michelin Star: LolaCeli to Bring Creative Filipino Dining Experience to Greenville

GREENVILLE — Michael Izzard can talk for hours about miso. And don’t get the chef started on koji or sourdough or any sort of fermentation. Rakkenji yeast? Be prepared to hear him wax over minute details and sugars and cultures.

Raised on Filipino roots and influenced by his experience in Michelin-star restaurants, Izzard is now bringing his culinary expertise to Greenville with LolaCeli. The vegetable and seafood-focused concept is a blend of his fine dining background and Filipino heritage.

Named after his grandmother, LolaCeli aims to offer dishes that are both familiar and unique, utilizing techniques like fermentation, koji, curing, and aging to create a truly innovative dining experience. While scouting for a permanent location, Izzard is introducing LolaCeli through a series of pop-up events across the city.

Khailing Neoh, owner of Sum Bar, where Izzard has hosted pop-up dinners, expresses excitement about the fresh perspective LolaCeli brings to the dining scene. Neoh praises the inviting presentation and quality flavors of Izzard’s dishes, emphasizing that his culinary offerings will change how people perceive a good meal.

The Art of Miso

Izzard’s passion for cooking stems from a deep interest in the processes and techniques that create exceptional flavors. His meticulous approach to creating dishes is underscored by his dedication to perfecting each element of the culinary experience.

From inspecting his koji to tasting his various miso creations, Izzard’s focus on detail and flavor development is evident in every dish he crafts. With a blend of Filipino and Michelin-star influences, LolaCeli promises a dining experience like no other in Greenville.

California to South Carolina

Having recently moved to Greenville from California, Izzard found inspiration in the city’s diverse culinary scene and welcoming atmosphere. His journey from Michelin-star kitchens to launching LolaCeli has been marked by a relentless pursuit of culinary excellence.

With plans to open his own restaurant, Izzard aims to offer a uniquely curated dining experience that reflects his culinary journey and heritage. LolaCeli’s upcoming pop-up events will showcase the chef’s creative approach to Filipino cuisine influenced by his fine dining background.