Chef Miguel Massens, a Miami native renowned for his expertise in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, has honed his skills under top-tier chefs like Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Norman Van Aken. In 2024, celebrated chef Henrique Sá Pessoa selected Chef Massens to be the opening Chef de Cuisine at his first U.S. restaurant, Sereia.
Margot, a Nashville native, discovered her passion for cooking early on. After studying and training at the Culinary Institute of America, she built a following in NYC before returning home. In 2001, she opened Margot Café & Bar, earning acclaim for her rustic, French-Southern, ingredient-focused cooking style.
Originally from Mexico City, Chef Andrés trained at Le Cordon Bleu and gained experience at Disney’s Cítricos. In 2012, he joined NORMAN’S, embracing New World Cuisine. Returning to Cítricos in 2021 as Chef de Cuisine, he earned three Michelin Guide recognitions for his passion and dedication to excellence.
Chef Antonio Mermolia made his mark in the U.S. restaurant industry with his authentic Southern Italian food at the stunning Le Sirenuse and Mare restaurants at the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Miami. Prior to his arrival in Miami, he worked in New York as a chef at Il Punto and at two-Michelin star Chef Davide Scabin’s restaurant Mulino a Vino, before opening Capatosta in the Flatiron District.
Thanks to his father’s travel business, which designed custom European trips, Danny Meyer spent much of his childhood eating, visiting near and far-off places, and sowing the seeds for his future passion. In 1985, at the age of 27, Danny opened his first restaurant, Union Square Cafe, launching what would become a lifelong career in hospitality.
Emily Mingrone is an award winning chef and restaurateur with numerous accolades from acclaimed publications such as The New York Times and Boston Magazine, in addition to repeated recognition from Connecticut Magazine for Overall Excellence. Emily was also the first woman to take home Chef of the Year from the Connecticut Restaurant Association.
Christina Nguyen is Executive Chef and co-owner of Hola Arepa and Hai Hai restaurants in Minneapolis, MN. She and her husband Birk Grudem started Hola Arepa as a food truck in 2011 and established a permanent home for it a couple years later. In 2015, Hola Arepa was named one of Bon Appetit’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Kevin O’Donnell, a Rhode Island chef and restaurateur, owns James Beard-nominated Giusto in Newport, showcasing freestyle Italian cuisine. In 2023, he opened Mother Pizzeria, followed by Giusto PVD and Mother Pizzeria PVD at Track 15, Providence’s first food hall. Kevin also teaches in Boston University’s Culinary Arts program, founded by Jacques Pepin.
Ken Oringer is a James Beard Award winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author. He owns and operates highly acclaimed restaurants around Boston including Coppa, Toro, Uni (formerly Clio), Little Donkey, Faccia a Faccia, and his newest project, Verveine Cafe + Bakery. Oringer has received numerous awards and recognition for his work.
Adam Pawlak, born and raised in Milwaukee, developed a love of food in his Italian family. He has worked in restaurants across the city, specializing in high-end Italian cuisine with French influences. After working in various restaurant roles, he now owns the popular fast-casual pasta bar, Egg & Flour.