Considered one of the few American sushi “masters,” Tyson Cole is passionate about the Japanese tradition. He began training in Austin in his early twenties and then moved to Tokyo and New York to train under two different sushi masters before opening the original Uchi in Austin in 2003. Cole was awarded the James Beard…
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Born and raised in Washington, Chef Blaine Wetzel’s career began in the kitchen at the young age of 14. After working at the acclaimed NOMA restaurant in Copenhagen, Chef Wetzel knew that he wanted to return to the Puget Sound area where he grew up. The Willows Inn caught his eye due to its small…
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Starting his adventure in cooking at age 21, Chef Frank has been a pioneer in French cuisine in Northern California since 1979. This self-taught chef was influenced while working as a dishwasher in France at just 16 years old. Chef Frank consistently shows his commitment to not only fine dining but his community as well.…
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Born and raised in Peru, Chef Gaston Acurio is one of the world’s most acclaimed and influential chefs. He has built a name and reputation for himself around Peruvian cuisine. Chef Acurio has opened numerous restaurants spanning the globe, focusing on one portion of Peruvian cuisine at each of his restaurants. For his work in…
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Chef Tenney Flynn is a well-known expert on Gulf Coast seafood. He has been called the “Fishmonger Czar of the South.” Chef Flynn began his career at his father’s restaurant in Georgia and then went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Prior to opening GW Fins, he worked for…
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Emeril Lagasse is a highly regarded American celebrity chef, cookbook author, and national best recipe award winner. Lagasse is also the executive chef and proprietor of thirteen restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As the winner of best Southeast regional chef, humanitarian of the year, daytime Emmy award for outstanding culinary…
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Jon Bonnell is admired as a community-driven restaurateur. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, he spent most of his life pursuing his love for cooking within his hometown. Since 2001, Chef Bonnell has been providing award-winning dining experiences at his signature restaurant, Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine. In 2013, Chef Bonnell opened his second restaurant,…
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Partners, Chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi have developed a warm, cozy, Italian atmosphere at Via Carota in New York. California native, Jody Williams, got her start in food service at her father’s hot dog stand in San Francisco. At 24, Chef Williams set out to Italy to learn about Italian cuisine and upon her return,…
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Chef Marc Vetri spent many of the early years of his culinary career working in Bergamo, Italy alongside the most respected chefs in that area of Europe. It was during his time in Italy that Chef Vetri perfected his craft of rustic, classic Italian dishes. He took this love of Italian cuisine back to his…
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Chef Achatz’s career began working in his own parent’s restaurants in St. Clair, Michigan. Shortly after, he enrolled in The Culinary Institute of America and found himself graduating with a position at Charlie Trotters. After working through many acclaimed restaurants, Achatz landed at The French Laundry as the sous chef for 4 years. After his…
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