Chef James Porter opened Petite Maison in August 2009 in order to bring great French bistro dining to the Valley. Using classic techniques and the most seasonal ingredients, Porter presents guest with a menu that is both familiar and special. He makes daily changes to the days’ dishes, and also changes the menu seasonally. The restaurant is indeed “petite” with just 35 cozy seats inside, and 45 al fresco seats surrounding the free standing building, nestled in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.

Porter gained local acclaim as the Chef/Owner of Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar, which closed in May of 2009. For more than five years, Tapino received rave reviews for its tapas style small plate and wine list that featured more than 300 boutique bottles. This “Globally Inspired. Locally Realized” restaurant provided Porter and his guests with the perfect place to share their love of food and wine without pretension or apprehension.

Porter strongly believes supporting local independent restaurants is the key to helping the Valley reach our full potential as a culinary haven. As a champion of local farmers, food producers, and independently owned businesses, Chef Porter is committed to using his culinary talent and business acumen to help the community grow. After hosting more than 1,000 guests in ’08 alone for his acclaimed “Locavore Dinner” series at Tapino, Porter is considered a leader in Arizona’s local food movement.

Chef Porter received his formal training from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 1992, and has continually added to his resume by working at an impressive list of kitchens across the country, including as the Chef de Cuisine at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, and at the Gables Biltmore Resort in Miami, to name just two. He held an apprenticeship at the prestigious Greenbrier Resort, where he worked under Irish born Master Chef Peter Timmons. There, he refined the formal aspects of his profession, and received silver and bronze medals in ACF Culinary Salon.