by Heidi Lee, March 2010

If you’ve never been to Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, you’re really missing out.  It’s one of the premier dining experiences in Phoenix and a small step back in time should you take the time to look around. They’ve got several new attractions, one of which is Faith Wipperman. I popped in one morning and it seemed as if the entire staff was happy to help me locate her. In fact, they went looking with big, fat smiles on their faces. Faith makes people happy.

Not only is her optimism contagious, she embodies it for all the right reasons. “I choose to get up every day and be thankful and smile,” says Wipperman. “I work better when I’m happy and that helps a lot, especially in a restaurant kitchen.”

Faith graduated with Honors from Raymond S. Kellis High School and took her C-CAP scholarship to the Arizona Culinary Institute where she excelled.  From there she went onto to Lon’s for her externship and was recently promoted to Saute and Entrementier. Wipperman works like a horse, is passionately dedicated to her profession and has a vocabulary that rivals that of Ben Stein. Did I mention that she’s just 18 years old? Surprise!

 “I’m not a Food Network Star wanna’ be,” says Wipperman. “I just want to do whatever it takes to stay in the kitchen.”

After sampling her fare I want her to stay in the kitchen too – delicious.  She’s a self-proclaimed food science geek who adores Alton Brown and is “just dipping her toes” into the pool of advanced flavor pairings. As we all know, it’s those wonderful and glorious discoveries help to keep us Chefs entranced with the world of food. Says Faith,”Once I started really cooking with duck, I found an entirely new plane of joy.” See what I mean?

Faith admits that her life hasn’t always been easy. “There were good times and bad. I’ve had a lot of challenges and changes in my life and those things are part of me.” Just as she chooses to rise each morning with that signature grin, she’s made informed choices, set a course and stuck to it. Now, she is reaping the benefits of her spirit. When many her age are still trying to figure out on which side of the fence to sit, Faith built her own fence and added a gate.

She’s forthright and confident and a little disquieting if you’re not prepared for her sincerity, intelligence and poise. She’s got a great handshake and looks you in the eye when she talks with you. That’s a big deal with someone who just recently earned the right to vote.  

After a quick tour of the kitchen and the gardens, we took a table in the dining room and were served some Wipperman especialities: Duck Soup with Warm Beet Salad; Pan Seared Scallops over Rissotto with a Vermouth Butter Sauce; and White Truffles filled with Crème Brulee and Raspberries.  Perfection!

With all that she’s overcome and accomplished in her young life, I wondered where the girl was. Eighteen years of age, running Saute at a serious, high end restaurant, graduating with a 4.3 from High School at age 16, completing ACI with aplomb and winning the ACFAZ 2009 Student Chef of the Year; I asked who she strived to please – her mom and dad.  Well, whatta’ ya know? 

When asked her goals and plans for the future, she stepped right up and said, “I’m holding those cards close to my chest for now, thank you.

” Whatever she decides to do with her life, rest assured that it will be her decision, well planned, passionate and executed with a smile. Atta’ Girl!!