Chef Michael Mina
Michael Mina is the chef, founder, and executive chairman of Mina Group, an award-winning restaurant management company with a collection of over 30 chef-driven concepts across the country that showcase the best of food, wine and spirits.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, and raised in Ellensburg, Washington, Chef Michael Mina began his epicurean journey at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. During his formal schooling, he spent his weekends sharpening his skills by working alongside Chef Charlie Palmer’s kitchen at the upscale Aureole in New York City. During his time there, Chef Mina was presented with a rare opportunity to collaborate as chef de cuisine with renowned Chef George Morrone on the creation of AQUA, an upscale seafood restaurant in San Francisco that would open to rave reviews and national acclaim in 1991.
At AQUA, Chef Mina dedicated himself to perfecting the guest experience by personally training the entire kitchen staff while continually refining and evolving the menu. In 1993, Chef Mina earned the executive chef role and was thereafter recognized for his contributions to the culinary world by the James Beard Foundation as Rising Star Chef of the Year (1997) and Best Chef: California (2002.)
With the drive and desire to provide his unique perspective on elevated dining experiences to guests across the globe, Chef Mina's culinary and business vision ultimately led to the founding of MINA Group. With deep roots in San Francisco - a city the Chef Mina has always held close to his heart - MINA Group now expands from coast to coast with restaurants in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, and beyond.
Across all markets, Chef Mina focuses on fostering the talents of young local chefs and promoting upward mobility for all staff while ensuring each concept gives back to its local communities through various philanthropic initiatives year-round. Michael Mina is an advocate of Ava’s Kitchen, a non-profit organization founded to bring awareness to pediatric cancer. Each year, MINA Group hosts the organization’s largest event, Ava’s Kitchen Benefit, bringing together guest chefs from around the country to raise funds and awareness for the organization.
Throughout his illustrious career, Chef Mina has been honored with additional numerous accolades including a Michelin star at MICHAEL MINA (2012-2018), James Beard Foundation's “Who’s Who of Food & Beverage” inductee (2013), Gayot's Restaurateur of the Year (2011), Bon Appétit's Chef of the Year (2005), and more. He was most recently named one of the “50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining” by Robb Report magazine (2023).
Chef Mina and his collection of restaurants have been featured across national media outlets such as Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Food Network, The Today Show, TIME, Robb Report, Travel + Leisure, and Wine Spectator. He has been a featured guest chef at the James Beard House on numerous occasions, has served as a judge on Hell's Kitchen and Master Chef, and has cooked for three U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. In late 2024, Michael Mina will release his second cookbook, illustrating his journey as chef from childhood influences to family recipes.