David Burke
Fueled by passion, grit and a knack for artful innovation, David Burke is one of the best known and most respected chefs in modern American cuisine with his signature whimsical, […]
Chefs
Wilson Calixte
Born near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Chef Wilson began as a dishwasher at 18, quickly promoted to cook. He trained at a Fusion French restaurant, launched a catering company, and moved to Omaha in 2010. After staging at V. Mertz, he became Sous Chef at Le Voltaire, advancing to Executive Chef after three and a half years.
Paula Camp
Paula Camp’s love of cider began after tasting Jacques Pépin’s homemade version. In 2016, she and her wife, Mary Connors, with family and friends, transformed their 137-year-old Benton Harbor carriage house into a craft cidery. Though new, Carriage House cider follows a process used by Europeans and early American settlers. The brand launched in 2020.
Soraya Caraccioli-Kilgore
Soraya Caraccioli-Kilgore, a renowned pastry chef and entrepreneur, co-founded Alter in Miami, earning a James Beard Best New Restaurant nomination. She served as Executive Pastry Chef at Brava by Brad Kilgore and launched MadLab Creamery. Expanding to San Francisco, she continues showcasing her creativity and expertise in pastry.
Lincoln Carson
Chef Lincoln Carson, Executive Chef/Partner of Mes Amis, earned national acclaim with Bon Temps, named best new restaurant by Food & Wine, Esquire, and the Los Angeles Times. Esquire named him Rising Star Chef 2019, and he was a James Beard finalist in 2020. Carson now consults internationally on food and restaurant projects.
Zach Castillo
After a 15-year ballet career, Chef Zach Castillo pursued butchery in Tucson before discovering fine dining in Milwaukee. He became Sous Chef at Wolf Peach, then spent six years with JVR Group, including Fauntleroy and EsterEv. Now Chef de Cuisine at Birch, he champions regional ingredients and under-appreciated produce.
Maneet Chauhan
Maneet Chauhan, a James Beard-winning chef and restaurateur, co-founded Morph Hospitality Group in Nashville, overseeing acclaimed eateries like Chauhan Ale & Masala House. Known for cookbooks Flavors of My World and Chaat, she’s a Food Network star, Chopped judge, and two-time Tournament of Champions winner (2021, 2024), excelling in culinary innovation.
Brandon Chrostowski
Brandon Edwin Chrostowski, Founder and CEO of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, is renowned for his groundbreaking work in culinary and hospitality training for the formerly incarcerated. Through his flagship French restaurant and nonprofit, he has established a national model for re-entry with a one percent recidivism rate.