Best chefs in New York

Fidel Caballero is the chef and owner of Corima, a modern Northern Mexican restaurant in Chinatown, NYC, which earned a Michelin star in less than a year. His culinary approach is distinguished by fusing innovative techniques with authentic flavors from his upbringing in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, offering a unique dining experience in the city.

Giovanni Cervantes has been nominated for Best Chef: New York State at the 2026 James Beard Awards, a testament to his culinary excellence. His restaurant Carnitas Ramirez in New York is celebrated for mastering the art of pork tacos, offering an authentic and high-quality Mexican dining experience.

Hooni Kim has been nominated as a finalist in the Best Chef: New York State category for his outstanding culinary work at Meju, his traditional Korean fermentation restaurant. His career includes being the first chef to receive a Michelin star for Korean cuisine, with his acclaimed New York restaurants Danji and Hanjan.

Ayesha Nurdjaja is an acclaimed chef in New York, recognized for her innovative Eastern Mediterranean cuisine at her restaurants Shuka and Shukette. She has been a James Beard Award finalist for 'Best Chef: New York State' in 2022 and 2023, and her establishments have been highlighted by the New York Times.

Joshua Pinsky is an influential chef in New York, recognized for his work at Claud and Penny, two of the city's most prominent restaurants. His intentional culinary approach and extensive background, including a decade of formative experience, have led to his nomination for the prestigious James Beard Awards in the Best Chef: New York category.

Gabriel Kreuther is a highly decorated chef, recognized for his masterful French cooking with Alsatian influences, earning him two Michelin stars and the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: New York City. His eponymous restaurant provides a luxurious and sophisticated dining experience, featuring classic dishes such as warm kugelhopf with chive fromage blanc and smoked sturgeon and sauerkraut tart.

Lois Picken is the Head Chef at Huso, a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York. Her prior experience in prestigious kitchens like Core by Clare Smyth and her collaboration with Executive Chef Buddha Lo demonstrate her ability to create innovative, high-quality tasting menus.

Eric Ripert is the chef and co-owner of Le Bernardin, a New York restaurant holding three Michelin stars and four New York Times stars. His modern French cuisine, specializing in seafood, has been consistently acclaimed for its excellence and elegance, solidifying his reputation as a top culinary figure in the city.

Andrea Calstier has been awarded a Michelin Star for his restaurant La Bastide in North Salem, New York, recognized for its high-quality cooking and elegant tasting menu. His focus on seasonally driven ingredients and Provençal roots offers a distinctive and sophisticated culinary experience in the New York region.

Christophe Bellanca has been awarded a Michelin star for his restaurant Essential by Christophe, offering refined French cuisine and an exceptional dining experience. His focus on simple elegance and attention to detail in every dish earned him a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Best Chef: New York State.

Vijay Kumar has been awarded the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York State, a significant recognition in the culinary industry. His Michelin-starred restaurant Semma offers authentic and acclaimed Southern Indian cuisine, standing out for its focus on traditional Tamil Nadu dishes.

Ignacio "Nacho" Jimenez is a hospitality professional with a two-decade career, recognized for his exceptional skill in cocktail service. His work at Superbueno NYC and his 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service demonstrate his significant impact on New York's culinary scene.

Thomas Allan is the Executive Chef at The Modern, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant located in New York's Museum of Modern Art. His leadership has been instrumental in maintaining the establishment's culinary excellence, which is also featured on the Forbes All-Star Eateries List. Allan is renowned for his ability to fuse contemporary American cuisine with French influences, creating memorable dining experiences.

Kwame Onwuachi is an influential chef in New York, known for his innovative approach that fuses African, Caribbean, and Creole flavors with modern American cuisine. His restaurant Tatiana, located at Lincoln Center, has received critical acclaim for its unique gastronomic offering and its ability to tell stories through each dish.

India Doris has transformed New York's culinary scene with her restaurant Markette, offering modern European cuisine with unique Caribbean influences. Her talent was recognized with MICHELIN's Young Chef award in 2025, highlighting her ability to create innovative and memorable dishes.

Tom Colicchio has left an indelible mark on the New York culinary scene with iconic restaurants like Craft, Temple Court, and Vallata, known for their commitment to seasonal, high-quality ingredients. His influence extends to training exceptional service staff and creating memorable dining experiences, solidifying his reputation as a pillar of New York gastronomy.