2023 Chefs

Washington, DC

Featured: Thursday Private Dinner Series

Todd Gray is a Virginia native is renown for his inventive interpretations of American cuisine infused with the flavors of the Eastern Seaboard. Gray graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America. Upon graduation, he worked with a number of fine dining restaurants where he honed his craft, philosophy and grounding in classical French and Italian techniques making him one of the nation’s top chefs.

In 1999, he and his wife, Ellen Kassoff Gray, opened their own restaurant, Equinox, which quickly caught the attention of the city’s gourmands. Along with Equinox they have recently have opened Todd Gray’s Watershed, featuring his homage to regions of the Eastern seaboard as well as a small café located inside the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Gray is also the Culinary Director for Salamander Hospitality, Sheila Johnson’s hospitality group.

Chef Gray has been nominated for five James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, received eight nominations for RAMW’s Chef of the Year, finally winning that honor in 2011. Collectively, he and Ellen were recognized as the 2011 Foodservice Leaders of the year by Food Service Monthly. Despite his hectic schedule Gray is active in the community and is a proud family man who draws inspiration and encouragement from his wife and son.