Eric Ziebold
Eric Ziebold | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1972 Iowa, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Known for | Kinship, Métier, CityZen |
| Notable work | Kinship, Métier, CityZen |
Eric Ziebold (born 1972) is a distinguished American chef and restaurateur who operates two Michelin-starred establishments in Washington, D.C.: Kinship and Métier. From 2004 until 2014, he served as the executive chef at CityZen, where he garnered numerous accolades, including a James Beard Award.
Early years
Originally from Iowa, Ziebold embarked on his culinary journey during his teenage years at Aunt Maude’s, working under the guidance of chef Matt Nichols. While enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa, he found himself spending more hours in kitchens than attending classes, prompting a transfer to the Culinary Institute of America. His early career included positions at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Beverly Hills and Jeffrey Buben’s Vidalia in Washington, D.C. In 1996, he joined Thomas Keller’s renowned The French Laundry in Napa Valley, where he ultimately rose to the role of chef de cuisine. In 2003, Ziebold briefly relocated to New York City to assist in launching Keller’s restaurant, Per Se.
CityZen
Ziebold moved to Washington, D.C., in early 2004 to open CityZen at the Mandarin Oriental Washington, which quickly gained acclaim. By 2007, Forbes recognized him as one of the "10 most influential chefs working in America," alongside notable figures such as Dan Barber, Tom Colicchio, and Grant Achatz. CityZen was honored as the best new restaurant of the year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington in 2005.
In 2008, Ziebold was awarded the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in the mid-Atlantic region.
CityZen closed its doors permanently on December 6, 2014, following Ziebold’s departure to establish a new downtown Washington venue. The Mandarin Oriental opted to shutter CityZen completely rather than appoint a new chef, paving the way for a fresh dining concept.
Kinship and Métier
In December 2015, Ziebold inaugurated his first solo venture, Kinship, located at 1015 7th Street NW in Washington, DC. Shortly thereafter, in April 2016, Métier opened within the same building.
Kinship offers a dining room seating 55 guests, a lounge accommodating 27 patrons, and a bar with space for 15. Its menu is divided into five distinct sections: craft (focusing on culinary techniques), history (modern takes on classic dishes), ingredients (featuring items like surf clams and Rohan duck), indulgence (highlighting luxury components such as truffles and caviar), and “for the table,” which includes family-style servings like whole fish or a 12-ounce dry-aged ribeye.
Situated below Kinship and accessible via elevator, Métier provides an intimate dining experience with a 40-seat room featuring an open kitchen visible through glass walls. The restaurant’s name—derived from the French term for expertise—reflects its offering of a refined seven-course tasting menu.
In Washington DC’s inaugural 2016 Michelin Guide, Kinship was awarded one star. Métier earned its Michelin star in 2017. Additionally, in 2018, Washingtonian magazine ranked Métier as the top Very Best Restaurant in DC.
Awards
- Best New Chefs, Food & Wine, 2005
- Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, James Beard Foundation, 2008
- Chef of the Year, Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, 2008
- Michelin Star, Kinship, 2017–present
- Michelin Star, Métier, 2018–present