Saturday, October 8 – Celebrity Chefs Michael & Bryan Voltaggio

Chef Michael Voltaggio

Michael Voltaggio has spent over half of his lifetime in the kitchen, starting at the age of 15. Now based in Los Angeles, he will be opening his first signature restaurant, ink., this year. Voltaggio describes his food as modern Los Angeles – distinguished by inspired flavor profiles elevated by the combination of classical technique and modern trends. He is Michelin-starred and was a finalist for the James Beard "Best New Restaurant" award in 2009, the same year he famously won the honor of becoming Top Chef on Bravo TV's Emmy-winning season (Season 6 – Las Vegas).

Chef Bryan Voltaggio

Bryan Voltaggio was the Season 6 TOP CHEF runner up in what many have described as the most competitive season in the show's history. This highly accomplished, innovative, and talented 33-year old chef is among the new generation of young chefs that are reinventing American cooking. Bryan is chef and partner at VOLT, a three-star fine dining establishment in his native Frederick, Maryland. He was classically trained at the Culinary Institute of America and was a protégé of celebrated chef Charlie Palmer.

Bryan first fostered his passion for cooking during childhood, when his meals included produce harvested in the family garden. He has since become a strong advocate for meats, seafood, and produce that are local, sustainable and organic. Committed to a career in cooking early on in his teens, Voltaggio had already served as Sous Chef and Executive Chef at two regional hotel restaurants by the age of 20.