Suzette Gresham facts for kids
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Suzette Gresham, also known as Suzette Gresham-Tognetti, is a famous American chef. She is known for her amazing Italian cuisine and has earned two Michelin stars for her restaurant, Acquerello, in San Francisco, California. Michelin stars are a very special award that shows how excellent a restaurant and its chef are.
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Suzette Gresham's Journey as a Chef
Starting Out in San Francisco
Suzette Gresham began her career as a head chef in 1988 at The Donatello, a hotel in San Francisco, California. This was her first time leading a kitchen, and she worked alongside Giancarlo Paterlini, who managed the front of the restaurant. Before this, Suzette had worked for United Airlines.
When she first started, some of the kitchen staff were surprised to see a woman as the head chef. They thought she might be the pastry chef. But once they saw her skills and hard work, they quickly showed her respect.
Opening Acquerello
In 1989, Suzette Gresham and Giancarlo Paterlini decided to open their own restaurant called Acquerello. It was located in the Nob Hill area of the city. Suzette was the head chef, and Giancarlo managed the dining room.
Suzette believed in teaching her team. She made sure her kitchen was a place where chefs could learn and grow. She even gave her staff extra homework and left cook books for them to read. She also offered to pay for any cooking books her staff bought to help them learn more.
Earning Michelin Stars
Acquerello quickly became very popular. In 2007, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star. This was a huge honor! Then, in 2014, Acquerello earned a second Michelin star. This made Suzette Gresham one of only three female chefs in the United States at that time to hold two Michelin stars.
New Restaurants and Ventures
After running Acquerello for 24 years, Suzette Gresham and Giancarlo Paterlini opened a second restaurant in 2013. They named it 1760, after its address on 1760 Polk Street. Suzette oversaw the food as the main chef, while Adam Tortosa was the head chef. The 1760 restaurant closed its doors in 2020.
In 2021, a new place called Sorella opened at the same 1760 Polk Street location. Sorella is a cocktail bar that also serves small, tasty dishes. Suzette Gresham is still involved with the culinary team at Sorella, helping to create its delicious menu.
