Chris Santos facts for kids
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| Born | Fall River, Massachusetts, US |
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| Education | Johnson & Wales University |
| Spouse |
Natalie Makenna
(m. 2022) |
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Current restaurant(s)
Stanton Social Prime at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas
Beauty & Essex (New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles) |
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Television show(s)
Chopped
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Chris Santos is a famous chef from New York City. He is known for opening popular restaurants like Beauty & Essex. You might also know him as a judge on the TV show Chopped on the Food Network.
Contents
About Chris Santos
Chris Santos was born in Fall River, Massachusetts. He grew up with two brothers and one sister.
Becoming a Chef
Early Cooking Days
Chris Santos started working in a kitchen when he was just 13 years old. His first job was washing pots at a small restaurant in his hometown of Bristol, Rhode Island. Soon, the chef noticed his talent and moved him from the sink to the stove. This is where he began learning how to cook.
School and Training
After finishing Bristol High School in 1989, Chris went to Johnson & Wales University. He studied culinary arts in Providence, Rhode Island. He planned to study for two years, but he received a special scholarship. This allowed him to stay for two more years to learn about restaurant and hotel management. He graduated with honors in 1993.
Even though he went to culinary school, Chris Santos thinks of himself as a "self-taught" chef. He learned a lot by doing and exploring, rather than just from famous master chefs.
Moving to New York City
In 1994, after college, Chris moved to New York City. He got a job at a well-known restaurant called Time Café. By age 23, he became the executive chef there. He worked at Time Café until 1998.
In 1999, Chris took a year to travel. He visited 14 countries and over 40 cities in Europe. This trip made him even more passionate about cooking.
Opening His First Restaurants
When Chris returned to New York City in 2000, he worked at a few different places. In November 2000, at age 29, he opened his very first restaurant called Wyanoka. It was a small, cozy place with only 27 seats. Wyanoka quickly became popular and received great reviews from newspapers like The New York Times.
Later, Chris became the executive chef at other restaurants like Suba and Mojo. He also co-owned a place called The Mexican Sandwich Company.
Famous Restaurants
The Stanton Social
In January 2005, Chris Santos opened The Stanton Social. This restaurant was a big success. It was located in New York City's Lower East Side. The Stanton Social was known for its unique "communal dining" style. This meant people shared many small dishes from different cultures. The restaurant was praised in many magazines and newspapers. The Stanton Social closed at the end of 2018.
Beauty & Essex
In December 2010, Chris opened his biggest restaurant yet, Beauty & Essex. It was built in an old furniture store. The restaurant has a huge crystal chandelier and a tall skylight. Soon after opening, Beauty & Essex was called the "Hottest Restaurant in the U.S." It became a popular spot for famous people.
New Projects
Chris Santos continues to create new restaurants. In 2016, he opened Vandal in Manhattan. He also planned new restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In 2022, it was announced that he would open Stanton Social Prime at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2023.
Chris also has other interests. In 2013, he helped start a company called Boxing For All, Inc. This company developed Quiet Punch, a home boxing product. In 2016, he founded Blacklight Media Records, a music label for hard rock and heavy metal bands.
On Television
Chris Santos is a familiar face on TV. He is a regular guest judge on the popular Food Network show Chopped. He has also appeared on other TV shows:
- CBS The Early Show
- The Today Show
- The Food Network's Heavyweights
- The Martha Stewart Show
He has also been on Martha Stewart Radio.
