Chef Michael Mina, originally from Cairo, Egypt, and raised in Ellensburg, Washington, embarked on his culinary journey at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. During his studies, he honed his skills in Chef Charlie Palmer’s kitchen at Aureole in New York City. His career ascended quickly when he partnered with Chef George Morrone to conceptualize and launch the renowned seafood restaurant AQUA in San Francisco in 1991. Despite a challenging start due to a major earthquake, Chef Mina thrived as AQUA’s executive chef from 1993 to 2002, earning accolades such as Rising Star Chef of the Year (1997) and Best Chef: California (2002) by the James Beard Foundation.
Chef Mina’s vision and culinary expertise led to the creation of the MINA Group, under which he now owns and operates over 30 distinguished restaurants globally. His career is marked by numerous awards, including a Michelin star for his restaurant MICHAEL MINA (2012-2018), induction into the James Beard Foundation’s “Who’s Who of Food & Beverage” (2013), and titles such as Gayot’s Restaurateur of the Year (2011) and Bon Appétit’s Chef of the Year (2005).
Widely recognized in national media, Chef Mina has been featured in publications like Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Wine Spectator, and on television shows including The Today Show and Food Network. He has appeared as a guest chef at the James Beard House, served as a judge on Hell’s Kitchen and Master Chef, and cooked for three U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.