Michael White (chef)

Michael White is the Head Chef and Owner of the Altamarea Group, which is composed of the restaurants Marea, Ai Fiori, Osteria Morini, Nicoletta, Costata and The Butterfly in New York, Osteria Morini and Due Mari in New Jersey, and Al Molo in Hong Kong. Marea has earned two Michelin stars and is a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux.^[1][2] Ai Fiori has also earned a Michelin star.

Career

Although Michael White's soulful, flavorful interpretations of Italian cuisine indicate otherwise, Michael is in fact a Midwesterner who spent his childhood in Beloit, Wisconsin and enrolled in Kendall Culinary Institute 1989. He trained at Ristorante San Domenico in Imola, Italy under the culinary guidance of chef Valentino Marcattilii.^[2][3] For the next seven years, he studied the hands-on, ingredient-driven cooking style of the Italians. Chef White also trained extensively in Paris and South France in different locations.

White returned to the US in 2001 to Spiaggia as Chef de Cuisine and contributed to the restaurant's four star review from The Chicago Tribune. In 2002, he became Executive Chef of Fiamma Osteria. The restaurant garnered a glowing three star review from The New York Times; received a Michelin Star; and White was named Esquire's Best New Chef, 2002. White also brought his famous recipes to home cooks with his book, Fiamma: The Essence of Contemporary Italian Cooking (John While & Sons, 2006). After 10 years, Chef Michael is back at the location that launched his career.

In 2007, White partnered with Ahmass Fakahany to open Due Terre and later Due Mari in New Jersey, and both were highly acclaimed. He then took control of L'Impero and Alto in mid-town Manhattan. Alto quickly garnered three stars from The New York Times and one Michelin Star for 2009 and two stars for the 2010 and 2011 Guides. In 2010, White also transformed L'Impero into Convivio, which was awarded one Michelin star in the 2011 Guide.

Marea

In May 2009, Fakahany and White opened Marea which garnered three stars from The New York Times, two Michelin stars in the 2012 Guide and Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. Marea also received several Best New Restaurant accolades from different organizations and has been featured in magazines all over the world.

Osteria Morini

In October 2010, Fakahany and White opened the first Osteria Morini in downtown Manhattan which holds true to the rich flavors of Italy's Emilia-Romagna region.Osteria Morini Bernardsville opened in February 2012, and Osteria Morini Washington D.C. opened in November, 2013. In Washington DC, the Executive Chef is Matt Adler and the Executive Pastry Chef is Alex Levin.^[4]

Ai Fiori

In November 2010, White ventured into the cuisine of the European Riviera with Ai Fiori at the Langham Place Hotel with a Mediterranean-inspired menu that focuses on the Italian and French Riviera's. In its first year Ai Fiori received one Michelin Star and three Stars from the New York Times.

Al Molo

In May 2011, White and the Altamarea Group opened Al Molo in Hong Kong, which translates to "The Pier" in Italian. Al Molo is located on the Victoria Harbour waterfront at Ocean Terminal overlooking the legendary Hong Kong skyline.

Nicoletta

Nicoletta Pizzeria was White's next venture with the flagship opening in the East Village, NYC in June 2012.

Costata

The contemporary and vibrant steak concept in SoHo opened on May 17, 2013.

Chef White has been nominated three times consecutively for the James Beard Award Best Chef: New York City; is Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux; and is a member of The Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation's Culinary Council. In April 2010, Chef White was named one of the 40 most influential New Yorkers under 40 by Crain's New York Business.

See also

• List of Michelin starred restaurants

References

External links

• Altamarea Group