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  RICK MUSCHIANA . . . center, stands between Lynn and Bill Parlberg at The Sovengard Restaurant in Grand Rapids. Muschiana, a 2001 Frankenmuth high School graduate, is co-owner and chef of the eatery, along with the Parlbergs. Sovengard is a two-time Restaurant of the Year winner, per the Grand Rapids Magazine.

FHS graduate leads The Sovengard to two 'Restaurant of the Year' honors

   A 2001 Frankenmuth High School is making a name for himself in the culinary world.

  Rick Muschiana is the founder, co-owner, and chef at The Sovengard, 1232 Bridge Street NW, in downtown Grand Rapids. Recently, The Sovengard was named the 2025 Restaurant of the Year by Grand Rapids Magazine.

  His parents, Bill and Lynn Parlberg of Frankenmuth, also owners, were on hand for the presentation, along with Rick’s wife, Kelly.

 Muschiana’s journey began during high school when he worked at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth where Bill Parlberg is a 50-year employee and has been the eatery’s president and chief operating officer since 2000. Rick worked in Z Cafe.

  Lynne is also into fresh, locally-fresh foods, having owned Dig Cafe in Uptown North Main at one time.

  In the mid-2000s, the Muschianas moved to Los Angeles, only to return to his second home, which is Grand Rapids where he studied illustration at Kendall College of Art and Design prior to heading to the West Coast.

  Back in Grand Rapids, he helped open Brewery Viviant & Spirits, working the front of the house and becoming a beer abbot.

  In 2014, Muschiana approached Bill and Lynne with the idea of starting a farm to table restaurant with an outdoor beer garten, using fresh local ingredients. In August 2016, The Sovengard was open at a different location on Bridge Street, less than a mile from its current location.

  In February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, The Sovengard was named Restaurant of the Year in 2020 by Grand Rapids Magazine. The award criteria are based on food, service, and ambience.

  With indoor dining closed, they chose their new site which was opened in July 2024. It has three general dining rooms, an outdoor beer garten, and can host private events, corporate dinners, and can be available for wedding receptions. Catering is also part of their business. Seating is around 120 persons inside, and about 100 more outside. .....

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