Chef Hari Pulapaka, among the originals of Central Florida’s James Beard semifinalist club, is no stranger to the region’s food scene. And though he’s taken some time to focus on new projects and personal pursuits since moving on from Cress, the award-winning Deland restaurant he and his wife, Jenneffer, opened in 2008, Orlando’s about to see a lot more of him.
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Pulapaka has joined the team at 4Roots, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming how communities grow, access and engage with food—building a healthier, more equitable and resilient food system for all.
In his new role as senior culinary director, Pulapaka will help shape and oversee the operation’s growing portfolio and programming and hospitality experiences across the farm campus.
“It’s an organization that’s been growing its mission visibly as well as quietly for quite some time,” says Pulapaka, who’s hardly a 4Roots newcomer. “I’ve been involved because of [its founder] John Rivers, and in many ways.”
This includes Friends of the Farm and Outstanding in the Field events, educational experiences and fundraisers, alongside area icons such as Norman Van Aken, Art Smith and Kevin Fonzo, that go back nearly a decade.
After several years doing his own globally inspired chef’s tables in DeLand, among myriad other projects, the stars aligned when Pulapaka’s other gig (he’s been a math professor at Stetson University for decades) offered early retirement, leaving him room to slip into a full-time role with 4Roots.
In part, he’ll be developing and continuing relationships and curating new guest experiences, including a new dinner series this fall in the property’s beautiful “culinary barn.”
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“It’s open-facing,” he says, noting details are still to come, “and these will be very immersive, but not so fussy, communal events. Long table, very seasonal, lots of storytelling and very intentional. Once a month, at least, and they might end up our signature series, but around these will be a whole bunch of other programming for both public and private events.”
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“Hari brings an extraordinary combination of talent, intellect, creativity and heart to 4Roots,” said Rivers in a news release. “His commitment to local agriculture, education, sustainability and building meaningful experiences perfectly aligns with the mission of 4Roots. Beyond being an exceptional chef, Hari understands how food can nourish both health and human connection, and we are incredibly excited about the vision and leadership he will bring to the Farm Campus.”
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By design, says the chef, the new role will connect him to all aspects of 4Roots’ culinary operations. As such, he intends to grow its culinary image.
“Food is at the center of everything….” he says, noting 4Roots’ mission pillars, including community, health and addressing food insecurity. “I will curate really nice events for the general public, but also connect the dots between the food systems in Central Florida, partnering with chefs, growers … I want to bring collaboration to the table very intentionally.”
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