Matthew Kenney facts for kids
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Kenney in 2016
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| Born | Connecticut, U.S. |
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| Education | University of Maine (BA) International Culinary Center |
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Award(s) won
Food & Wine (1994)
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Matthew Kenney is a famous American celebrity chef, business owner, writer, and teacher. He is known for his focus on plant-based cuisine. He has written many cookbooks and started several vegan restaurants. He also created companies like Matthew Kenney Cuisine and Matthew Kenney Culinary, which teach people about plant-based eating.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Matthew Kenney was born in Connecticut, U.S.A. He grew up in a town called Searsport, Maine.
After finishing college at the University of Maine, he decided to become a chef. He went to a cooking school called the French Culinary Institute, now known as the International Culinary Center. There, he learned classic cooking skills. After graduating in 1990, he worked in different kitchens in New York City.
Matthew Kenney's Culinary Journey
Matthew Kenney opened his first restaurant, Matthew's, in New York City in 1993. In 1994, Food & Wine magazine named him the "Best New Chef." He opened other restaurants too, like Mezze, Monzu Canteen, Commune, and Commissary.
Some of his restaurants closed after the events of September 11, 2001. More recently, between 2021 and 2024, some of his other restaurants also closed.
Pure Food and Wine Restaurant
In 2004, Kenney, along with his partner Sarma Melngailis and investor Jeffrey Chodorow, opened a vegan restaurant. It was called Pure Food and Wine and was located in New York City.
Kenney left Pure Food and Wine in 2005.
Matthew Kenney's Cooking Schools
In 2009, Kenney opened his first cooking school in Oklahoma City. Later, in 2012, he moved the school to Santa Monica, California. He also moved his company to Los Angeles.
In 2013, he started another campus for his Academy in Belfast, Maine. In 2017, he sold the Academy to Adam Zucker.
Matthew Kenney Cuisine Company
In 2012, Matthew Kenney started a company called Matthew Kenney Cuisine. This company is based in Los Angeles. It offers many plant-based services and products. These include restaurants, education, media, and other products.
As of 2022, Matthew Kenney Cuisine runs more than 50 restaurants. These restaurants are located in over 12 different countries.
In 2019, Matthew Kenney Cuisine opened an all-vegan food hall. It is called Plant City and is in Providence, Rhode Island. Also in 2019, he launched Ntidote Life nutrition bars with Dr. Amir Marashi.
Matthew Kenney's Restaurants
Matthew Kenney has opened many restaurants over the years. Some are still open, and some have closed.
Active Restaurants
- Double Zero, New York City, (2016–present)
- Matthew Kenney NM, Beverly Hills, (2016–present)
- Plant Cafe, Bahrain (2017–present)
- plnthouse: The Good Kitchen, Miami (2017–present)
- XYST, New York City, (2017–present)
- Bar Verde, New York City, (2017–present)
- Plant City, Providence, Rhode Island (2019–present)
Past Restaurants
- Matthew’s, New York City (1993–2001)
- Mezze, New York City (1995–2002)
- Monzu, SoHo, New York City (1997–1999)
- Cafe M, Stanhope Hotel, New York City (1998–)
- Commune, New York City (1999–2003)
- Canteen, SoHo, New York City (1999–2001)
- Commissary, New York City (2001–2003)
- Pure Food and Wine, New York City (2003)
- Free Foods NYC, W. 45th Street, New York City (2007–2014)
- Free Foods NYC, 52nd Street, New York City (?–2009)
- Arata, Belfast, Maine (2015–2016)
- Tamazul, Oklahoma City (2012–2014)
- The Gothic, Belfast, Maine (2013–2016)
- M.A.K.E., Santa Monica, California (2012)
- The White Lotus, Miami, Florida (2014)
- New Deli, Venice, California (2018–2021)
- Heirloom, Lower East Side, New York
- Cafe 118, Winter Park, Florida
- Blue/Green juice bars, various locations in New York City and one in Darien, Connecticut
- Sestina, New York City, (2020–2022)
- Liora, Baltimore, Maryland (2021-2023)
- Double Zero, Baltimore, Maryland (2021-2023)
- Double Zero, Venice, California (2019–2023)
- Hungry Angelina, Long Beach, California (2020–2022)
- Plantpub, Boston, MA(2022-2023)
- Essence Cuisine Shoreditch, London (2017–2023)
- Sestina, Culver City, California (2020–2023)
- Plant Food and Wine, Venice, California, (2015–2024)
- Make Out, Culver City, California (2015–2024)
- Oliver's of Montecito, Montecito (2017–2024)
- Baia, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, California (2020–2024)
- Plant Food and Wine, Miami, (2016–2024)
Awards and Recognition
- 1994: Food & Wine magazine, Best New Chef
Published Works
Matthew Kenney has written many cookbooks.
