Chef Michael Montano

Chef Michael Montano is a California transplant from the East Coast with 11 years of culinary experience. Since a young age Chef Michael has been inspired by his grandmother’s Calabrian roots and obsession with expressing love through food. His Italian background and passion for authentic, fresh food with soul has lead him to kitchens and classrooms all across the country. As graduate from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, Michael has trained and worked in some of the best kitchens in the industry. Alinea in Chicago, Delfina in San Francisco, Bacara in Santa Barbara and Esca in New York City are just a few of the restaurants Chef has been involved with.

After many years of working in the East Coast market, Chef Michael made the choice to move to California and expand on his creativity utilizing the year round produce available and becoming more familiarized with farm to table Californian Cuisine.

While Chef Michael enjoys the high paced restaurant atmosphere, he has launched into a new phase of his career and taken to private/personal chef opportunities, pop-up events and the curation of his own brand. Chef Michael is focused on creating more intimate gatherings that allow for communal and familial connection. He stands by the quality of what he produces along with the experience it yields. Nothing makes Chef Michael happier than empty plates and smiling faces!