Crispy Edge, a globally inspired pot sticker-centric restaurant, has a new executive chef.
Owner David Dresner announced today that Tori Foster, a graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, who also has a master’s in culinary entrepreneurship from Saint Louis University, will helm the kitchen at the upcoming Tower Grove South restaurant. A Hawaii native who grew up surrounded by Japanese, Filipino and Thai flavors, Foster will help bring a range of inspirations to Crispy Edge’s menu.
“Our focus is on one vehicle with global inspiration,” Dresner says. “We love the tradition of potstickers and explored the entire globe in terms of different cuisine: Icelandic, Mediterranean, Mexican, Spanish cuisine.” 
Courtesy of Crispy Edge
To that end, look for a diverse menu ranging from classic pork potstickers to options like huevos rancheros (with quail eggs and pickled radishes), peanut butter and jelly and even strawberry cheesecake. With a menu inspired by so many different cuisines, Foster says she’s focused on maintaining the authenticity of the different flavors and connecting diners with the historic cultural tradition that is the potsticker.
Through her travels in Europe and South America, she has researched the traditional ways different cultures prepare the dish and works to connect the different flavor profiles seamlessly. “Being able to travel and work with people in their own kitchen and understand how the food has touched their lives inspires me to be authentic and do justice for their culture,” she says. She adds that she plans to treat the potstickers like high-end pastry – wrapping it, breading it and glazing it.
In particular, Foster is most excited for the Vietnamese spring roll. A semi-deconstructed potsticker, it features all of the flavors found in a traditional spring roll, including fresh greens, jicama, crispy dough and a bright chicken filling. The menu will also offer a few sides and beverages that thoughtfully complement the various potstickers. Inside, the space will feature a calm, cool and dark atmosphere with an impressive 16-foot living wall to brighten up the mood and connect customers to the ingredients. “The wall is covered with a variety of 16 herbs and vegetables, all used on site in cocktails and dishes,” Dresner says.
An official opening date has yet to be announced, but diners can get an early taste of Crispy Edge at a beer tasting and potsticker pairing event this Thu., Jan. 25, with proceeds benefiting the Forest ReLeaf of Missouri.
Crispy Edge, 4168 Juniata St., Tower Grove South, St. Louis, Missouri.