* Felipe Rojas-Lombardi; Chef Introduced Tapas to U.S.

Felipe Rojas-Lombardi, 46, the chef credited with bringing the Spanish appetizers called tapas to American restaurants. Rojas-Lombardi served his early apprenticeships in Peru. In 1967 he moved to New York, where he worked with James Beard. He later became executive chef and owner of the Ballroom, a restaurant and cabaret. He brought tapas, the appetizers served with sherry in Spain, to American restaurants. He also wrote two cookbooks, “Soup, Beautiful Soup” and “South American Kitchen.” On Tuesday in New York City of heart failure after a long struggle with degenerative osteoporosis.