Featured Interviews

Have you ever wondered what ingredient a top chef prefers? Or maybe you’re curious which café the star of your favorite television show or movie visits for a quick bite? We’ve talked with some of the biggest chefs, celebrities, and winemakers to find out the answers to culinary queries. Our interviews with restaurant luminaries, world-famous winery owners and well-known entertainers will help you get to know your favorite stars better.

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Chef Gary Danko's eponymous restaurant has once again been honored as one of our Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. See what this top toque had to say when we sat down with him.

Watch our exclusive video interview here.

Chefs/Restaurateurs

Gary Danko, chef of Gary Danko

on his ingredients and influences

video interview

Cody Diegel, executive chef of Caulfield's Restaurant

Celestino Drago, chef/owner of DRAGO Centro

Celestino Drago, chef/owner of Drago with chef de cuisine Evan Gotanda

Jean-Pierre Dubray, executive chef of Andrea at The Resort at Pelican Hill

Erin Eastland, chef of Cube

Walter Eckstein, of Lawry's The Prime Rib

Daniel Elmalel, chef of Gladstone's

Daniel Elmalel, chef of Mercato di Vetro

Tony Esnault, executive chef of Patina

F
Dean Fearing, chef/owner of Fearing's
David Feau, chef de cuisine at The Royce
Mark Ferguson, chef at SpagoBachelor Gulch
Adam Fleischman, chef/owner of Umami Burger restaurants
Greg Fortunato, chef of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Eric Frechon, chef of Le 114 Faubourg at Hotel Le Bristol

G
Ronnie Gene, executive chef of The Olive Kitchen + Bar
Alain Giraud, chef/owner of Maison Giraud
Mark Gold, chef/owner of Eva Restaurant
Mark Gold, chef of Sadie
Evan Gotanda, chef de cuisine of Drago with chef/owner Celestino Drago
Ian Gresik, chef of DRAGO Centro
Eric Greenspan, chef of The Roof on Wilshire
Kamel Guechida, pastry chef of Joël Robuchon Restaurant Las Vegas

H
Christopher Hache, chef at Les Ambassadeurs
Farshid Hakim, owner of La Provence Pâtisserie & Café Restaurant
Todd Harrington, executive chef at Central Michel Richard
Lee Hefter, chef/partner with Wolfgang Puck
Thierry Hennequin, co-owner of Maison Richard
A member of the Pierre Hermé team at La Cuisine
Oscar Hermosillo, owner of Venice Beach Wines
Rory Herrmann, chef of Bouchon Beverly Hills
Dana Hollister, owner/interior designer of Villains Tavern
Adam Horton, chef of Raphael Restaurant
Sydney Charles Hunter III, chef at Bastide (RESTAURANT CLOSED)

I
Yon Idiart, chef/owner of Lily's French Cafe & Bar

J
Jean Joho
chef/owner of Everest
GAYOT.com's 2012 Best Restaurateur in the U.S.

K
Jordan Kahn, chef/partner of Red Medicine
Phil Kastel, VP of Grill Concepts which owns the Daily Grill restaurants
Gavin Kaysen, chef of Café Boulud
Anthony Keene, executive chef of Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood
Thomas Keller, chef/owner of Bouchon, The French Laundry and
Per Se,
and at the 28th American Wine & Food Festival
Haru Kishi, chef of Chaya Brasserie
Eric Klein, executive chef of Spago Las Vegas
Gabriel Kreuther, executive chef of The Modern
Beulah Ku, partner of Joss Cuisine/Traditional
Yasu Kusano, executive chef at Gonpachi making soba noodles
Yasu Kusano, executive chef at Gonpachi

L

Philippe Labbé, executive chef of L'Abeille

Jean-Marie Lacroix, chef of Lacroix at The Rittenhouse

Bella Lantsman, general manager/partner of Chinois on Main
Jessica Largey, second place winner of the 2011 Les Espoirs de Mougins at Les Etoiles de Mougins.

Barbara Lazaroff, co-founder/owner of Wolfgang Puck Restaurants

Claude Le Tohic, executive chef of Joël Robuchon Restaurant Las Vegas

Mishel Ledoux, general manager at CUT,
and during the 28th American Wine & Food Festival

Ludovic Lefebvre, chef of LudoBites

David LeFevre, chef of M.B. Post

Josh Loeb, owner of Milo & Olive

Pascal Lorange, executive chef of Fig & Olive

Chris Lusk, chef of Cafe Adelaide

M

Jeff Mahin, chef/partner of Stella Rossa Pizza Bar

Walter Manzke, consulting chef at Saint Amour

Amelia Marneau, pastry chef at Marche Moderne

Florent Marneau, chef at Marche Moderne

Karl Matz , executive chef at Wolfgang Puck Worldwide

David McIntyre, chef de cuisine at WP24 (CHEF GONE)

Sven Mede, executive chef of American Fish

Kevin Meehan, chef of Café Pinot (CHEF GONE)

Jean-Francois Meteigner, chef/owner of La Cachette Bistro (RESTAURANT CLOSED)

Joe Miller, chef of Joe's

Gavin Mills, chef of Wood & Vine Restaurant

Michael Mina, GAYOT.com's 2011 Best Restaurateur in the U.S.

Mark Mollica, chef/co-owner of La Vecchia Cucina

Kris Morningstar, chef of Ray's & Stark Bar

Antonio Muré, chef/co-owner of Ado

David Myers, chef of Comme Ca

N

Zoe Nathan, owner of Milo & Olive

Larry Nicola, chef/owner of Nic's Beverly Hills,
and after a Grey Goose vodka cocktail dinner pairing
Drew Nieporent, restaurateur: Corton, Tribeca Grill and Nobu New York
Guido Nistri, owner of Bencotto Italian Kitchen
Mattin Noblia, chef of Iluna Basque
Miriam Novalle, owner of T Salon in New York and Los Angeles
Orlando Novoa, chef/owner of American Farmhouse Tavern & Dining Hall

O

Bradley Ogden, chef of Bradley Ogden
Francis Ogé, winner of the 2011 Les Espoirs de Mougins at Les Etoiles de Mougins.

Alex Padilla, chef at Taberna Mexicana

Orazio Parisi, chef at Paparazzi

Roland Passot, chef of La Folie

Stewart Patchefsky, general manager at Julian Serrano

Mark Peel, chef at The Tar Pit

José Picasso, chef de cuisine at Julian Serrano

David Plonowski, chef at Bar Pintxo

Gunter Preuss, chef/owner of Broussard's

Paul Prudhomme, chef/owner at K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen
Wolfgang Puck, 2010 Restaurateur of the Year:
Interview with Sophie Gayot, about his career

Interview with Sophie Gayot, about his cold brewed ice coffee

Interview with Sophie Gayot, during the 28th American Wine & Food Festival, held in Los Angeles on September 25th 2010

Interview with Alain Gayot

R

Arnon Raphael, owner of Raphael Restaurant with pastry chef Kasra Ajdari

Brian Redzikowski, chef at Test Kitchen (RESTAURANT CLOSED)

Michael Reed, chef at Xiomara on Melrose (CHEF GONE)

Eric Ripert, chef/partner/owner of Le Bernardin

Perfecto Rocher, chef at The Blvd (CHEF GONE)

Ari Rosenson, chef de cuisine at CUT
and during the 28th American Wine & Food Festival

Richard Ruskell, executive pastry chef at Montage Beverly Hills

S

Brian Saltsburg, owner/partner of Test Kitchen (RESTAURANT CLOSED)

Marcus Samuelsson, chef of C-House

Savore Catering

Pascal Sanchez, chef de cuisine of Twist by Pierre Gagnaire

Charlie and Kathleen Schaffer, caterers/owners of Schaffer's Genuine Foods

John Sedlar, chef of Playa

Piero Selvaggio, chef/restaurateur of Valentino

at the 28th American Wine & Food Festival

at Valentino restaurant

Bruno Serato, chef/owner of Anaheim White House

Julian Serrano, chef of Julian Serrano Restaurant

Megan Sheehy, general manager of Locanda del Lago

Nick Shipp, chef of Upper West

Keith Silverton, chef of Nonna of Italy

Nona Sivley, chef de cuisine of LA Market

Paul Shoemaker, chef of Savory

Joshua Smith, chef of Estiatorio Milos at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Carolynn Spence, chef at Chateau Marmont Restaurant

Guy Sockrider, chef at Roux on Orleans

Caroline Styne, partner/owner at Tavern

Craig Strong, chef at Studio

Luke Sung, chef of Isa

Shannon Swindle, pastry chef of Craft Los Angeles (CHEF GONE)

T

Giuseppe Tentori, chef/partner of GT Fish & Oyster

Staffan Terje, chef of Perbacco Ristorante + Bar Restaurant Review

Ben Thibodeaux, chef de cuisine at Palace Cafe

Michael Teich, chef de cuisine of Cleo

Michael Tusk, chef of Quince

V
Pasquale Vericella, chef/owner of Il Cielo
Francesco Velasco, executive chef of Tra Di Noi Ristorante Malibu
Fabio Viviani, chef/owner of Firenze Osteria
Michael Voltaggio

Ben de Vries, chef of Luella

David Walzog, executive chef of SW Steakhouse

Dakota Weiss, chef of The Dining Room at Hotel Shangri-La (CHEF GONE)

Dakota Weiss, chef of NINETHIRTY at the W Los Angeles Westwood

Micah Wexler, executive chef of MEZZE

Joshua Whigham, chef de cuisine at The Bazaar by José Andrés

Tom Wolfe, chef/owner at Wolfe's in the Warehouse

X

Kitt Xaiyashiha, sushi chef of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Y

Tetsu Yahagi, chef de cuisine at Spago Beverly Hills

preparing heirloom tomato salad

preparing tuna tartare in sesame cones topped with bonito flakes

Kenny Yamada "pop-up chef" at Royal/T

Noubar Yessayan baker/pastry chef at Maison Giraud

Z

Anthony Zappola, chef de cuisine at Craft Los Angeles (CHEF GONE)

Ricardo Zarate

chef/owner at Mo-Chica
chef/owner at Picca

Wine & Spirits

Eric Espuny, sommelier and general manager at The Royce

Dana Farner, beverage director at CUT

Christophe Lambert & Eric Beaumard

Judy Jordan, winemaker at J Vineyards & Winery

Guillaume Jubien, master mixologist & ambassador of Grey Goose Vodka Brand, and at a Grey Goose vodka cocktail dinner pairing at Nic's Beverly Hills restaurant

Tim Hanni, Master of Wine

Francis Ford Coppola, owner of Rubicon Estate

Eric Lumley, sommelier at Carnevino

John Munch, winemaker

Michael McCarty, owner of Michael's Santa Monica and Michael's New York
James Moises, owner of Moises Wines
Luke Nicola, creative director of Nic's Beverly Hills
Southern Comfort, New Orleans Whiskey

Food

Emanuel Andrén, chocolatier
Mitchell Davis at Vice President of The James Beard Foundation
Bananas Foster Tableside at Commander's Palace
Cheese Program, fromager Jason Truckenmiller at The Loft
Churros with chef Julian Serrano at Julian Serrano Restaurant
Kristy Choo at Jin Pâtisserie
Food wrapping at Gladstone's Malibu
Christophe Happillon, Maître Écailler, discussing oysters and how to open them
Harry & David, Gail Simon VP Brand Marketing & Communications
Making pasta with chef de cuisine Luca Cesarini at Andrea restaurant at The Resort at Pelican Hill
Manrico Mincuzzi, president of the House of Balsamic
Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes
Paella at Julian Serrano restaurant
Plate breaking at Cleo's restaurant
Prince William's Groom's Cake with Kristen Olson, assistant food editor at Betty Crocker

Tony Princiotta, manager and buyer at The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

Authors

Jacques Pépin

Bal Arneson, author of Everyday Indian

Celebrities

Dan Aykroyd (comedian/actor), discussing Crystal Head Vodka
Maurice Barthélémy (filmmaker), at the 2011 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles
Frédéric Beigbeder (director), at the 2012 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles

Carlos Bernard
(From Fox's hit television series 24)
Bertrand Blier (writer/director), at the 2011 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles
Dany Boon (actor/director), at the 2011 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles

Dr. Garth Fisher (Extreme Makeover)

Mr. Richard Galy, mayor of Mougins, France, discussing with Sophie Gayot about Les Etoiles de Mougins

Alain Gayot, on Hell's Kitchen, Season 6, Episode 13, aired October 13th, 2009

Sophie Gayot

behind the scenes of the 2012 GAYOT.com Restaurant Issue

sabraging a bottle of Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Cuvée des Moines Brut Rosé

on Hell's Kitchen, Season 4, Episode 8, aired May 20th, 2008

on Hell's Kitchen, Season 8, Episode 8, aired October 13th, 2010

on The Insider, aired Dec. 27, 2008
on

Judith Godrèche (actress), at the 2011 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles
Mariel Hemingway (actress/model/yoga instructor), presenting her skincare line Tatchme

Dr. Gunther von Hagens (Body Worlds)

Benoit Jacquot (director), at the 2012 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles

Nicholas Kittle (Blue Man Group)

Frédéric Lefebvre (French Secretary of State), discussing the 2012 Fête de la Gastronomie
Phillipe Le Guay (filmmaker), at the 2011 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles
Christina Machamer, winner of Hell's Kitchen Season 4
Carrie McCully, host of the Food Network's Chef Hunter tv show

David Minkin, international magician champion

Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano (writers/directors), at the 2012 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles

Lord Howard Posener, Master Magician by Royal Appointment

Jérémie Rénier (actor), at the 2012 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles

Hélène Ségara (singer), at the 2012 COLCOA Film Festival in Los Angeles

Bruno Serato, one of 10 2011 CNN Heroes

Nona Sivley, chef de cuisine at LA Market, winner of Hell's Kitchen season 8

Curtis Stone, Take Home Chef

Francois Truffart, director of COLCOA, presenting the 2011 edition of the festival

Dr. Andrew Weil, partner at True Food Kitchen

Hotels

Aria Resort & Casino Las Vegas
American Fish, executive chef Sven Mede
Julian Serrano, chef José Picasso
Julian Serrano, chef at Julian Serrano restaurant
Julian Serrano, general manager Stewart Patchefsky
Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
Pradeep Raman, general manager
Beaches Resorts by Sandals
Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, Founder & Chairman
Bellagio Las Vegas
Fountain water show
The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel
Dana Farner, beverage director at CUT
Mishel Ledoux, general manager at CUT
Ari Rosenson, chef de cuisine at CUT
Caesars Palace
Mathieu Chartron, executive chef at Restaurant Guy Savoy
Todd Harrington, executive chef at Central Michel Richard
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, with sushi chef Kitt Xaiyashiha and chef Greg Fortunato
Brandon Flowers's concert on opening night
Comme Ca, chef David Myers
China Poblano, with executive chef Shirley Chung
China Poblano, tour of the restaurant at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Estiatorio Milos, with chef Joshua Smith
Estiatorio Milos, the interior of the restaurant with Adam Rand, Director of Operations
Jaleo, in the private room with José Andrés
Four Seasons Hotel at Beverly Hills
Victor Casanova, chef at Culina Modern Italian
Hotel Le Bristol
Eric Frechon, chef at Le 114 Faubourg
Hotel de Crillon
Christopher Hache, chef at Les Ambassadeurs
The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa
Eric Espuny, sommelier and general manager at The Royce
David Feau, chef de cuisine at The Royce
JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. Live
Nona Sivley, chef de cuisine at LA Market
Le Mas Candille
Serge Gouloumès, executive chef
The London West Hollywood
Anthony Keene, executive chef at Gordon Ramsay
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Pascal Sanchez, chef de cuisine at Twist by Pierre Gagnaire
Mandarin Oriental, Paris
Thierry Marx, executive chef at Sur Mesure
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Claude Le Tohic and Kamel Guechida, executive chef and pastry chef at Joël Robuchon Restaurant Las Vegas
Montage Beverly Hills
Scott Conant, chef at Scarpetta Beverly Hills
Richard Ruskell, executive pastry chef
Montage Laguna Beach
Casey Overton, chef at The Loft
Craig Strong, chef at Studio
Jason Truckenmiller, fromager at The Loft