A nationally recognized chef and author, Jeff Michaud began his cooking career at the age of 13 at a pizza shop in his native New Hampshire. Inspired by his grandmother’s cooking and beautiful homemade wedding cakes, Michaud enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America and graduated in 1998.

Upon graduation, Michaud moved to Aspen, CO to join the kitchen staff at the Caribou Club where he worked his way up to Executive Sous Chef. After completing his tenure in Aspen, Michaud moved to Philadelphia to work as Sous Chef for critically acclaimed Chef Marc Vetri at his eponymous restaurant, Vetri Ristorante. Discovering his love for Italian cuisine in the Vetri kitchen, Michaud decided to move to Bergamo, Italy to further hone his skills.

While in Italy, Michaud’s first stop was Mangilli, a family-owned butcher shop in the small town of Paladina, where he refined his skills in sausage and salumi making. Over the next three years, Michaud worked his way through the top restaurants of Bergamo, including Michelin-starred Frosio, La Lucanda, La Brugheria, Ristorante Loro and Ol Fa Pasticceria. His time in Bergamo culminated with the position of Executive Chef at Locanda del Biancospino, a small inn in the foothills of the Alps.

After serving as Locanda del Bianocspino’s opening chef, Michaud returned to the United States where he took several chefs’ positions throughout New England before returning to Philadelphia to rejoin the Vetri Family and open Osteria in 2007. In 2008, The James Beard Foundation nominated Osteria for “Best New Restaurant” and in 2010, Michaud won the James Beard Award for “Best Mid-Atlantic Chef.”

In 2013, Michaud published his first cookbook, “Eating Italy: A Culinary Adventure” (Running Press, Sept. 24, 2013), that chronicled the intertwining stories of discovering his passion for Italian cuisine and falling in love with his wife, Claudia.

Outside of the kitchen, Michaud is currently a member of the Vetri Community Partnership’s Board of Directors. He is extremely committed to the foundation’s mission of empowering children and families through fresh food, hands-on culinary experiences, and food education. The organization’s signature initiative, “Eatiquette,” is a school lunch improvement program that currently services children in the Philadelphia and Austin areas.

In November 2015, Urban Outfitters Inc., a leading lifestyle specialty retail company acquired several of The Vetri Family restaurants including Amis, Osteria, Pizzeria Vetri, Alla Spina and Lo Spiedo.

Jeff lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Claudia, and their daughter. He enjoys spending weekends cooking with his family and training in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Celebrity Chef, Food & Beverage, Italy