Menu Innovator Blog

Michael Mina CA, San Francisco, CA (Eclectic) Chef: Michael Mina Born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in Washington, Celebrity Chef, Michael Mina believes that there are four elements that all cooking should revolve around; acidity, sweetness, spice, and fat. When these elements can play off one another, they create what Mina calls a “dish that…

Minibar by Jose Andres DC, Washington, DC (Latin) Chef: Jose Andres Jose Andres is a highly awarded chef widely known for bringing the “small plates” concept to American cuisine. Andres is a culinary innovator, chef, and scientist, as he seeks to make each dish its own distinct work of art by incorporating molecular gastronomy into…

Per Se, New York City, NY (French) Chef: Thomas Keller Highly acclaimed chef, Thomas Keller believes that a great meal is not only about food and wine, but rather an emotional experience, and a journey. Thomas Keller is the winner of multiple James Beard Awards, and currently holds seven Michelin stars amongst his three restaurants;…

Momofuku Ko, New York, NY (Asian) Chef: David Chang Born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Chef David Chang did not intend on pursuing a career in the culinary world, and majored in religious studies, and worked in Finance, before attending the French Culinary Institute in 2000. While in school, Chang worked in various Manhattan restaurants…

The Modern, New York, NY (French) Chef: Abram Bissell A native of the Florida Keys, Abram Bissell began his pursuit of the culinary arts from a very early age while helping in his Aunt’s café. He pursued his culinary education at the New England Culinary Institute and later held positions at some of the most…

Komi, Washington, DC (Mediterranean) Chef: Johnny Monis Born and raised in Arlington, Chef Johnny Monis was initially a student in the Pre-Med program at James Madison University before dropping out after realizing he was more interested in pursuing a culinary career. He then enrolled at Johnson & Wales in Charleston, South Carolina, where he also…

Bluestem, Kansas City, MO (New American) Chef: Colby Garrelts Chef Colby Garrelts opened Bluestem in 2004 with his wife, Megan. Bluestem allows Colby to showcase his progressive American cuisine, and Megan as Pastry Chef to create new varieties of American desserts. Growing up in the Midwest, the Garrelts is inspired by the cuisine they grew…

Picasso, Las Vegas, NV (French) Chef: Julian Serrano Chef Julian Serrano though born and raised in Madrid, Spain, has always had a strong affinity for French cuisine. Regarded as one of the best Chefs in the United States, Serrano is the recipient of two James Beard Awards for Best Chef – California in 1998, and…

Goosefoot, Chicago, IL (New American) Chef: Chris Nugent Chef Chris Nugent grew up around restaurants during his childhood in Upstate New York, living with Chef John Daly after the loss of his mother at a young age. After high school, he went on to complete his culinary education at Johnson & Wales and worked alongside…

Brennan’s of Houston, Houston, TX (Southern) Chef: Carl Walker Chef Carl Walker, or Chef Carl as he prefers, always had a passion for cooking while growing up in Missouri. At the age of 17, Carl enrolled in the Marine Corps and proceeded to cook for over 7,000 Marines during his service. His time in the…