Michael White (chef)
Michael White | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Known for | Head Chef and Owner of the Altamarea Group; founder of MIKA restaurant |
Michael White previously served as the Head Chef and Owner of the Altamarea Group, which encompassed a variety of dining establishments including Marea, Ai Fiori, Vaucluse, Osteria Morini, Nicoletta, Costata, and The Butterfly located in New York; Osteria Morini and Due Mari in New Jersey; as well as Al Molo in Hong Kong. Marea was awarded two Michelin stars before being reduced to one star in 2019 and is a member of the esteemed Relais & Châteaux association. Ai Fiori also holds a Michelin star.
White exited the Altamarea Group in 2021 after moving permanently to his residence in the Hamptons amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, he unveiled his debut independent restaurant, MIKA, situated at The Plaza Coral Gables in Miami.
Career
Raised in Beloit, Wisconsin, Michael White enrolled at Kendall Culinary Institute in 1989. He spent seven years honing his skills in Italy at Ristorante San Domenico in Imola, training under chef Valentino Marcattilii, with additional culinary education gained in Paris and southern France.
In 2002, White was appointed Executive Chef at Fiamma Osteria, where he earned a Michelin star prior to its closure. He authored the cookbook Fiamma: The Essence of Contemporary Italian Cooking published in 2006.
White collaborated with Ahmass Fakahany in 2007 to launch Due Terre and later Due Mari in New Jersey, both receiving critical acclaim. Subsequently, he assumed control of L'Impero and Alto in Midtown Manhattan; L'Impero was rebranded as Convivo. Both venues were awarded Michelin stars.
In 2023, White introduced Paranza at Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. Named after the Italian word for "Small Fishing Boat," Paranza marks his most prominent opening since Marea and is among three exclusive Michelin chef-led experiences at Atlantis.
Additional restaurants associated with White
- In September 2008, Michael White and Ahmass Fakahany launched their second New Jersey establishment, Due Mari, located in New Brunswick.
- May 2009 saw the opening of Marea, which achieved two Michelin stars by 2012 (later reduced to one star in 2019) and received three stars from The New York Times.
- Osteria Morini debuted in Manhattan in October 2010 with a focus on Emilia-Romagna cuisine; additional locations opened in Bernardsville, NJ (2012) and Washington DC (2013).
- Ai Fiori opened at The Langham in November 2010, earning one Michelin Star and three stars from The New York Times.
- The Altamarea Group expanded to Hong Kong with Al Molo at Victoria Harbor in May 2011.
- Nicoletta Pizzeria launched in New York’s East Village in June 2012, followed by branches in Bernardsville (2015) and King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia (2016).
- Costata, a steakhouse located in Manhattan, was opened by the Altamarea Group in 2013; although it later closed its physical location, the brand persists as a steak delivery service.
- Chop Shop, a London-based steakhouse opened in September 2013, also eventually ceased operations.
- December 2013 marked the opening of Ristorante Morini on Manhattan’s Upper East Side along with a franchise location within Istanbul’s Zorlu Center mall.
- In September 2015, the Altamarea Group introduced its first French dining concept, Vaucluse, on the Upper East Side; it closed permanently in 2020.