Nate Appleman was named as 2009's 'Rising Star Chef' at the James Beard Foundation Awards, one of the USA's most prestigious culinary accolades. That same year, Food & Wine magazine named him 'Best New Chef'. His cooking has also been recognized by high-profile media such as The New York Times, Bon Appétit, The Martha Stewart Show and Gourmet magazine.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, the Ohio native has worked across the country, honing his skills at restaurants including Maisonette in Cincinnati, Brasa in Seattle, Campton Place in San Francisco, The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, and Tra Vigne in St. Helena, California.

It was Appleman’s affinity for butchery and curing meats that inspired him to join a friend in Florence, Italy and work as an apprentice. While learning traditional Italian methods of salami production and butchery, he simultaneously developed a deep appreciation for regional Italian cuisine and its focus on seasonal ingredients and simple, time-honored preparations. His experience working in Italy became the foundation of his inspiration as a chef.

After joining San Francisco's A16 as executive sous chef, Appleman became one of the few American pizzaiolos certified by the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. He was named executive chef and co-owner of A16 in 2006 after which restaurant reviewer Michael Bauer gave the restaurant three-and-a-half stars for food quality in the San Francisco Chronicle. A year later, he opened SPQR, a monument to Italian cuisine, where he remained until 2009.

Appleman creates seasonal menus inspired by local produce, heritage meats, sustainable seafood, and Italian traditions. He credits relationships with local purveyors for providing him with the ingredients that inspire his gutsy, flavorful menus. These elements are celebrated in his first book, A16 Food + Wine (Ten Speed Press, 2008), which earned two prestigious IACP Cookbook Awards - 'Cookbook of the Year' and 'First Book/The Julia Child Award'.

In 2009 Appleman was a contestant on The Next Iron Chef, a limited-run series on the Food Network where award-winning chefs compete for a role on Iron Chef America.

In December 2010, Appleman took on a position with Chipolte Mexican Grill, where he where he will focus on improving the chain's culinary standards and help elevate their cooking techniques throughout all of their restaurants.

Nate Appleman, award-winning celebrity chef and restaurateur, is available exclusively through IMG Speakers bureau for speaking engagements. Nate Appleman is also available for celebrity appearances, corporate hospitality events, cooking demonstrations, meet and greets, and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or [email protected] for more information on booking Nate Appleman.

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