2023 Chefs

Christopher Kostow

The Charter Oak
The Restaurant at Meadowood
Ensue

 

Featured:
Thursday, April 30, 2020 Winemaker Dinner Series

A Michelin-starred chef before the age of 30, Christopher Kostow takes a thoughtful approach to food, drawing upon his own American upbringing and the bounty of the surrounding environments, creating an extraordinary experience for diners at The Restaurant at Meadowood, The Charter Oak & his latest endeavor, Ensue.

Christopher, a Chicago native, trained in kitchens far and wide; from Paris bistro to the Michelin-starred Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier. Upon returning to the States, Christopher worked as sous chef under Daniel Humm in San Francisco. Shortly thereafter, he became Chef at Chez TJ in Mountain View, Calif., garnering the restaurant many accolades including two Michelin stars.

Upon arriving at Meadowood in 2008, Christopher maintained two Michelin Stars, was nominated for Best Chef: Pacific by the James Beard Foundation and named as one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs 2009. In 2010, Christopher garnered a rare four starts in the San Francisco Chronicle and was soon awarded the highest ranking of three Michelin Stars from the esteemed 2011 Guide. Christopher is the second American-born chef and third youngest chef ever to receive three Michelin stars.

Christopher and The Restaurant team have since retained the three stars from Michelin for the past nine consecutive years, including the recently released 2019 edition of California guide; as well as the four stars in San Francisco Chronicle. In 2013, Christopher was awarded Best Chef: West by the James Beard Foundation.

Ten Speed Press published Christopher’s debut book, A New Napa Cuisine, in October of 2014. In March of 2015, his work was awarded “Book of the Year” by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).