Bryan Voltaggio facts for kids
| Born | 1976 (age 48–49) Frederick, Maryland, U.S. |
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| Cooking style | Modern American |
| Education | Culinary Institute of America |
| Spouse | Jennifer Covell |
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Bryan Voltaggio (born 1976) is a famous American chef, restaurant owner, and author. He is well-known for appearing on the TV show Top Chef. Bryan was also a semi-finalist for the important James Beard award. His brother, Michael Voltaggio, is also a celebrity chef. Bryan lives in Frederick, Maryland, and is famous for his Mid-Atlantic style of cooking.
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Early Life and Education
Bryan Voltaggio was the oldest of three children. His parents were Sharon and John Voltaggio. When he was seven, his parents divorced. Bryan and his siblings first lived with their mother, then later moved to their father's house. Bryan and his brother Michael were very close growing up.
Bryan went to Governor Thomas Johnson High School. He is married to Jennifer Covell, whom he met in high school. They have three children together.
His very first job was as a busboy at a Holiday Inn in Frederick, Maryland. While still in high school, he took a cooking program at Frederick Community College. By the time he was 15, he was already working as a cook.
In 1999, Bryan earned a degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America. He learned a lot from famous chefs like Charlie Palmer and Gerry Hayden. He worked with them at a restaurant called Aureole.
Restaurant Career
In 2003, Bryan Voltaggio became the head chef at a restaurant called Charlie Palmer Steak.
Bryan and his brother Michael opened a quick-service fish sandwich shop called STRFSH in Santa Monica. It was open from 2017 to 2021. The Voltaggio brothers also owned Estuary in Washington D.C. They ran this restaurant from 2019 until March 2022.
Bryan's Restaurants
Open Now
- Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill (opened December 2016)
- Showroom, Frederick (opened 2020)
- Wye Oak Tavern at Visitation Hotel, Frederick (opened 2024)
Past Restaurants
- Thacher & Rye, Frederick (2020–2024)
- VOLT, Frederick (2008–2020)
- Aggio, Baltimore (2014–2018)
- Family Meal, Baltimore (2015–2016)
- STRFSH, Santa Monica (2017–2021)
- Estuary, Washington D.C. (2019–2022)
- Lunchbox, Frederick, MD
TV Appearances
Bryan Voltaggio is famous for competing on Top Chef, a cooking competition show on Bravo. He was the runner-up on the sixth season, losing to his own brother, Michael Voltaggio.
He was also the runner-up on the fifth season of Top Chef Masters. Later, he was again the runner-up to Melissa King on the seventeenth season of Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.. Bryan was the first chef to compete on both Top Chef and Top Chef Masters.
In 2022, both Bryan and Michael Voltaggio appeared on season three of Guy Fieri's show Tournament of Champions on the Food Network.
Awards and Recognitions
Bryan Voltaggio has been recognized for his cooking talent:
- 2010: Nominated for the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic".
- 2012: A semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic".
Family Life
Bryan Voltaggio lives in Maryland with his wife, Jennifer. They have three children: a son named Thacher, and two daughters, Piper Wren and Ever Maeve.
