Max Mercier, owner and chef at Le Parisien Restaurant, 417 S. 300 East, has been nominated for western regional chef of the year by the American Culinary Federation, one of five finalists. The others are from Las Vegas, Hawaii, Arizona and California.
Each federation chapter will vote for one candidate among those from its region this month. The winner will be announced at the western division conference in Reno, Nev., Feb. 22.Mercier opened his restaurant in 1970 and in 1984 was voted chef of the year by the federation's Beehive Chef's and Cook's Association. In 1985 he received the federation's National President's Award.