Boston has long been known for its vibrant and diverse culinary culture, which has blossomed in recent years thanks to the efforts of renowned chefs. The city’s food scene is a dynamic blend of traditional New England fare and innovative global influences, with chefs who aren’t afraid to push the boundaries of flavor. Whether they’re at the helm of beloved restaurants or leading culinary movements, these 25 celebrity chefs have made a mark on Boston’s food scene and continue to inspire with their culinary talents. If you’re looking for the best in Boston cuisine, these chefs are leading the way.
1. Barbara Lynch
Known for: No. 9 Park, The Butcher Shop, B&G Oysters
Specialty: Modern French and Italian-inspired cuisine with a focus on local New England ingredients.
Barbara Lynch is one of the most influential chefs in Boston. Known for her exceptional culinary skills, she has built a culinary empire that blends classic French and Italian techniques with local ingredients, offering a unique taste of Boston.
2. Michael Schlow
Known for: Alta Strada, Tico, The Capital Grille (former)
Specialty: Italian, Mediterranean, and contemporary American cuisine.
With a long history in Boston’s culinary world, Michael Schlow is a seasoned veteran in creating mouthwatering Italian and Mediterranean dishes with a modern American twist.
3. Jody Adams
Known for: Trade, Porto (formerly Rialto)
Specialty: Mediterranean, Spanish, and Italian-inspired dishes with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Jody Adams is celebrated for her seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired dishes, bringing the flavors of the Mediterranean to Boston in a creative and approachable way.
4. Tiffani Faison
Known for: Toro, Sweet Cheeks Q, Dante
Specialty: Barbecue, Southern comfort food, and globally inspired dishes.
Tiffani Faison’s culinary range spans Southern barbecue, global flavors, and inventive comfort food, making her one of Boston’s most innovative chefs.
5. Ken Oringer
Known for: Uni, Clio, Toro (with Tiffani Faison)
Specialty: Japanese, tapas-style, and innovative, high-end cuisine.
A true pioneer of modern cuisine, Ken Oringer’s ability to fuse Japanese and tapas-inspired flavors has earned him a spot as one of Boston’s top chefs.
6. Jamie Bissonnette
Known for: Toro, Coppa, Little Donkey
Specialty: Spanish and Italian tapas, charcuterie, and small plates.
Jamie Bissonnette is known for his passion for tapas, creating flavorful, shareable plates that elevate Spanish and Italian cuisine in Boston.
7. Alden & Harlow (Michael Scelfo)
Known for: Alden & Harlow, Waypoint
Specialty: American cuisine with a focus on creative dishes using local ingredients.
Michael Scelfo’s Alden & Harlow is a beloved spot in Boston, where creativity meets local ingredients in an unforgettable dining experience.
8. James DiSabatino
Known for: Sam’s
Specialty: Gourmet sandwiches, classic comfort food with a twist.
James DiSabatino is known for reimagining comfort food with gourmet twists, making his sandwiches a must-try for foodies in Boston.
9. Rachel Klein
Known for: The Kitchin (Former)
Specialty: Elevated seasonal cuisine, using fresh ingredients in approachable yet sophisticated dishes.
Rachel Klein brings elevated seasonal cooking to life with a focus on fresh ingredients, offering an accessible yet refined dining experience.
10. Chris Coombs
Known for: Dante, Boston Chops, Deuxave
Specialty: Italian and American fine dining with a focus on contemporary ingredients and flavor combinations.
Chris Coombs has become known for his fusion of Italian and American fine dining, offering creative and sophisticated flavors at his Boston establishments.
11. Seth Raynor
Known for: The Franklin Cafe, East Coast Grill
Specialty: Southern barbecue, casual comfort food, and seafood.
Seth Raynor blends Southern barbecue and seafood, creating comforting yet flavorful dishes that resonate with locals.
12. Jason Santos
Known for: Blue Inc., Buttermilk & Bourbon, Santos Restaurant
Specialty: Southern-inspired dishes with a twist and playful takes on comfort food.
Known for his inventive takes on Southern comfort food, Jason Santos brings an element of fun and creativity to traditional flavors.
13. Maneet Chauhan
Known for: The Chaat Shop
Specialty: Indian cuisine with a contemporary spin, blending bold spices and modern techniques.
Maneet Chauhan offers bold and flavorful Indian cuisine with a modern twist, bringing spice-filled dishes to the forefront of Boston’s food scene.
14. Will Gilson
Known for: Puritan & Company, The Heritage
Specialty: Modern American cuisine with a focus on New England ingredients and farm-to-table cooking.
Will Gilson’s approach to farm-to-table dining showcases the best of New England ingredients in a modern American context.
15. Nuno Mendes
Known for: Taberna do Mercado (formerly)
Specialty: Modern European and Portuguese-inspired cuisine, innovative takes on traditional dishes.
Nuno Mendes brought a modern European flair to Boston, offering inventive dishes with deep roots in Portuguese cooking.
16. Tony Maws
Known for: Craigie on Main, The Kirkland Tap & Trotter
Specialty: Contemporary New England cuisine, rustic dishes with a modern twist.
Tony Maws brings the flavors of New England into the modern age with creative takes on traditional rustic dishes.
17. David Bazirgan
Known for: The Bar at The Boston Public Library, Alden & Harlow (former)
Specialty: Seasonal American cooking, creative cocktails, and artisanal techniques.
David Bazirgan’s innovative American cuisine and flair for cocktails have made him a key figure in Boston’s culinary landscape.
18. Paul Wahlberg
Known for: Wahlburgers
Specialty: Comfort food with an emphasis on burgers and American favorites.
Paul Wahlberg is best known for his popular burger joint, Wahlburgers, where he elevates comfort food with high-quality ingredients and attention to detail.
19. Evan Hennessey
Known for: St. Anselm (Former)
Specialty: Wood-fired cooking, classic American steakhouse dishes with modern touches.
Evan Hennessey’s love for wood-fired cooking has earned him a reputation for crafting bold, flavorful dishes with a modern flair.
20. Nancy Silverton
Known for: La Brea Bakery, Pizzana (Guest appearances)
Specialty: Artisan baking, sourdough bread, and Italian-inspired pizzas.
Nancy Silverton has made a name for herself with her artisanal sourdough bread and inventive pizzas, adding a bit of California flair to Boston’s food scene.
21. Todd English
Known for: Olives, Figs, The Food Network
Specialty: Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a focus on high-end and innovative dishes.
Todd English is a Mediterranean cuisine master known for his upscale dining experiences and television appearances.
22. Kathleen Rellihan
Known for: Kitchensurfing (formerly)
Specialty: Fine dining, catering, and culinary innovation with an emphasis on New England seafood.
Kathleen Rellihan offers a refined culinary experience with a focus on New England seafood and creative dishes.
23. Leo Rondeau
Known for: West Bridge (formerly)
Specialty: French-inspired cooking with modern interpretations of classic dishes.
Leo Rondeau blends traditional French cooking with modern techniques, offering a refined dining experience in Boston.
24. Stephen Coe
Known for: Oleana, Sarma
Specialty: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and modern American cuisine with creative spice blends.
Stephen Coe’s innovative takes on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine have made him a leader in Boston’s food scene.
25. Joe Gatto
Known for: Gusto, Café Gatto
Specialty: Italian cuisine, traditional pasta dishes, and hand-crafted wood-fired pizzas.
Joe Gatto is known for his authentic Italian dishes, from pasta to pizza, that showcase the flavors of Italy in a cozy, inviting setting.
These chefs have been instrumental in shaping Boston’s culinary landscape, creating iconic restaurants and introducing innovative flavors that continue to delight food lovers. Their expertise, passion for local ingredients, and ability to fuse tradition with modernity make them standout figures in the city’s vibrant food scene. Whether you’re attending a food festival, a culinary event, or simply looking to experience Boston’s diverse food offerings, these chefs are sure to deliver an unforgettable experience.
If you or your brand and/or organization would like to hire any of these incredible celebrity chefs contact us at (833) 773-2577 or email to speak with a celebrity chef agent to discuss top celebrity chefs available for your organization and event.
