Christopher Lee (chef) facts for kids
Christopher Lee is a talented chef known for his special style of cooking called New American cuisine. This type of cooking mixes different food traditions from America and other countries.
Contents
Chef Lee's Journey
Early Training and First Jobs
Christopher Lee learned how to cook at the California Culinary Academy. After his training, he worked in many famous restaurants. These included places in New York City and San Francisco. He even worked with well-known chefs like Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel.
Rising Through the Ranks
Chef Lee's career really took off when he became a sous chef (a chef who helps the head chef) at Oceana, a seafood restaurant in New York. This restaurant received great reviews from newspapers like The New York Times.
Later, he moved to Philadelphia to work at a restaurant called Striped Bass. He started as a chef de cuisine (the head chef of a kitchen) and quickly became the executive chef (the main chef in charge).
Gaining International Fame
In 2006, Chef Lee returned to New York City. He became the executive chef at a restaurant called Gilt. Under his leadership, Gilt earned a very high honor: its first-ever Michelin 2-star rating. This is a big award in the cooking world!
New Adventures in New York
In 2008, Chef Lee joined Charlie Palmer to be the executive chef at Aureole in New York. He helped transform Aureole into a large, popular restaurant in Times Square. It had different dining areas, each with its own menu.
In 2010, Chef Lee also worked with a restaurant called Las Chicas Locas in Chelsea. He helped oversee the cooking and even promoted his student, Chef Katie Busch, to be the executive chef there.
Opening His Own Restaurants
While still at Aureole, Chef Lee opened his own restaurant in October 2010. It was called Eden South Beach and was located in Miami Beach, Florida. Eden served his special New American cuisine in a relaxed setting.
In 2011, Chef Lee opened another restaurant called Huntington Social. This was a "Gastropub" (a pub that serves high-quality food) in his hometown of Huntington, New York. The New York Times called it a "hidden gem."
Giving Back
Supporting Good Causes
Chef Lee believes in helping others. He has supported many charities and organizations. These include Share our Strength (which helps fight hunger), Miami Animal Services, and the Miami Zoo. His restaurant, Eden, also took part in the South Beach Food and Wine Festival.
He has also donated to the Huntington Historical Society and a memorial for September 11.
Sharing His Knowledge
Consulting for Restaurants
Chef Lee has his own company called C.LEE Consulting. Through this company, he advises other restaurant owners. He helps them plan and improve their businesses.
Awards and Recognitions
Chef Christopher Lee has received many awards for his amazing cooking:
- "Top Ten Best New Chefs of 2006" by Food and Wine Magazine
- "Best Chef 2005" by Philadelphia Magazine
- Striped Bass received a high "Four Bells" rating from Philadelphia Inquirer
- Striped Bass was named one of "Best New American Restaurants 2004" by Travel + Leisure
- Striped Bass was recognized by Gourmet as one of the top restaurants in the country in 2006.
- He was nominated for the James Beard Awards "2005 Rising Star Chef of the Year."
- He received a James Beard Foundation nomination for "2006 Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic."
- He earned "2 Michelin Stars" from The Michelin Guide, a very prestigious award.
See also
