Awards & Recognition
★Two Michelin Stars for Mélisse Restaurant (2007, 2008, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
★One Michelin Star for Citrin Restaurant (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
★Top Ten New Chefs by Food & Wine Magazine (1997)
★Best Chefs of the Year by Los Angeles Magazine (2012)
★Forbes Travel Guide Five Stars (2013-2018)
★Zagat #1 for Top Food in Los Angeles and #1 American-French Restaurant
★Gold Medal for cookbook 'In Pursuit of Excellence' by Independent Book Publishers Association
★Relais & Châteaux inclusion for Mélisse
Notable Facts
→Owner of two Michelin-starred Mélisse and one Michelin-starred Citrin restaurants in Santa Monica
→Founded Citrin Hospitality with multiple restaurant concepts including Charcoal Venice, Augie's on Main, Dear John's and Dear Jane's
→Trained in Paris at fine dining restaurants Vivarois and La Poste
→Over 35 years of culinary experience in Los Angeles dining scene
→Published two cookbooks: 'In Pursuit of Excellence' and 'Charcoal: New Ways to Cook with Fire'
→Has appeared on Hell's Kitchen and trained Aaron Eckhart for his role in No Reservations
→Operates food & beverage program at Line Hotel
→Santa Monica native who still surfs and sources ingredients from local farmers markets