Michael Mina

Michael Mina (born 1969 in Cairo, Egypt) is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author. He is the founder of the Mina Group, a restaurant management company operating 18 concept restaurants. He is the executive chef at his two namesake restaurants in San Francisco and Las Vegas. He authored his first cookbook in 2006 and has made numerous television appearances. Mina has one Michelin star at each of his namesake restaurants in San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Biography

Early life

Egyptian-born Michael Mina was raised in Ellensburg, Washington. He started working in a French kitchen in his hometown when he was 16. After high school, Mina attended the University of Washington and worked in the restaurant at the Space Needle, where he received his first exposure to working in a busy restaurant. He left after one year to attend Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

Culinary Development

After working in Los Angeles at the Bel Air Hotel with Executive Chef George Morrone, Mina followed Morrone to San Francisco to help create Aqua. Following Morrone's departure from Aqua, Mina became executive chef and received numerous awards and accolades.