Matthew Lightner facts for kids

Matthew Lightner is a very talented chef. He used to be the main chef at a famous restaurant called Atera in New York City. This restaurant earned two special awards called Michelin stars, which are like gold medals for restaurants. In 2010, a magazine called Food & Wine recognized him as one of the "Best New Chefs in America."

Chef Matthew Lightner's Journey

Matthew Lightner was born in Norfolk, Nebraska in 1980. He loved cooking and went to a special school for chefs. In 2001, he graduated with high honors from the Western Culinary Institute in Portland.

Learning from the Best

After culinary school, Matthew traveled to learn from some of the world's best chefs. He trained at a very famous restaurant called Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark. Noma is known for its unique and creative dishes. He stayed there until 2009, learning many new cooking techniques. He also trained at Mugaritz in Spain, another top restaurant.

Working in Top Restaurants

When he returned to the United States in 2009, Matthew started working at Castagna in Portland, Oregon. Later, he became the executive chef at Atera in New York City, where he earned two Michelin stars. He returned to Portland in 2018.

Opening ōkta

In July 2022, Chef Lightner opened his own restaurant called ōkta. This restaurant is located in McMinnville, Oregon.

Find Out More

• Atera Restaurant