MICHAEL CHIARELLO

Born in 1962 and raised in the central California community of Turlock, Michael followed his childhood dream of becoming a world-class chef. He began apprenticing in restaurants at age 14 and graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, in 1982. He began his professio... more >

Born in 1962 and raised in the central California community of Turlock, Michael followed his childhood dream of becoming a world-class chef. He began apprenticing in restaurants at age 14 and graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, in 1982. He began his professional career in Miami by opening the acclaimed restaurant, Toby's. Flush with the success of his first restaurant, in 1986 he moved back to his roots in Napa Valley and opened the Tra Vigne (among the vines) Restaurant, where he acted as Executive Chef/partner for it and seven other restaurants until creating NapaStyle in 2000.

With NapaStyle, Michael has created a multi-channel lifestyle retailer inspired by his Southern Italian heritage, the Napa Valley style of life, and a passion for seasonal and sustainable living. The NapaStyle line is available online, by catalog and at select gourmet specialty shops around the country. In September 2006, Michael opened the first and flagship NapaStyle retail store in Berkeley, California's upscale and eclectic Fourth Street shopping district.

During his 20-year tenure as Executive Chef of Tra Vigne and seven other restaurants, Michael was twice named Chef of the Year: in 1985 by Food and Wine Magazine while at Toby's in Miami; and in 1995 by the Culinary Institute of America.

Michael Chiarello accepts Emmy Food Network's Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello, for which Michael co-produces, writes and stars, has won three daytime Emmy Awards, more than any other Food Network show. Michael's other television shows include NapaStyle on Fine Living, and the PBS television series, Michael Chiarello's Napa.

His latest cookbook, At Home with Michael Chiarello, follows Michael Chiarello's Casual Cooking, which won the 2002 IACP Award. Other books include Napa Stories, The Tra Vigne Cookbook, and Flavored Vinegars and Flavored Oils.

Michael is also the proprietor of a small family winery, Chiarello Family Vineyards, making highly rated estate wines from the historic 94-year old vineyards surrounding his home in St. Helena, California. < less