Chef Michael Izzard

My name is Michael Izzard and I am the chef of LolaCeli - “A somewhat Filipino” pop-up which has recently debuted in Greenville, SC. I was born in the Philippines and raised in Arizona prior to spending my early twenties between Switzerland and North Africa. Soon after, I began my cooking career at 2 Michelin Star Acquerello in San Francisco under Suzette Gresham. I worked my way through Northern California where I spent two years at the esteemed 3 Michelin Star Restaurant at Meadowood before becoming part of a four person team at the Harbor House Inn in Mendocino, CA to make the push from 1 to 2 Michelin Stars. Most recently, I spent the last couple years as the opening Sous Chef of Izakaya Gama, still in Mendocino, CA, to help a close friend get his restaurant dream off of the ground.

I recently made the move here to upstate SC as my family lives here and I wanted to be closer to them. I am currently for hire for private events as I work towards getting the LolaCeli project up and running. Technique is the hallmark of my cooking style as opposed to relying on the use of luxury ingredients; I believe with humble ingredients and flawless technique, food is more delicious and honest than hiding behind gimmicks. My cuisine encompasses my experiences both in and out of the kitchen, distilling the food I grew up eating with techniques learned throughout years spent in Michelin Starred kitchens in Northern California.