Michael Chiarello

Chef, Restaurateur, Cookbook Author, TV Host
Tra Vigne Restaurant
St. Helena, California

Early Years

Growing up in rural Northern California, as part of a loving, Italian family devoted to its Southern Italian roots and its fine culinary traditions, Michael Chiarello has definitely embraced his family's passion for bringing good food to the table. Learning first hand from his family that the best way to touch people is through the pleasure of food, Chiarello began apprenticing at restaurants at the age of 14. Less than 10 years later, Michael Chiarello had  graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and was named Chef of the Year (1985) by Food and Wine Magazine.

Moving to the Napa Valley in 1986 to become the opening chef at Tra Vigne Restaurant, Chiarello accelerated practice of his belief of using only the freshest, seasonally available ingredients by meeting with a cultivating relationships with local growers and producers.  Tra Vigne, which means "among the vines", recreates the feeling of the Italian countryside, in its decor, ambience, and in Michael Chiarello's cuisine, and it continues to be one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the entire Napa Valley. Chiarello has since also opened Tomatina, Bistecca, Caffe Museo in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Bump's and Ajax Tavern in Aspen.

Current Projects

In addition to his restaurant projects, Michael Chiarello has created many authentic food products, including the breads produced at the successful PANoRAMA Baking Company in San Francisco that he founded, and the Consorzio line of infused olive oils, pioneering the trend of adding flavored oils to recipes for added depth and dimension.  His authentic, regional style of cooking has stayed true to the Napa Valley and is the characterization of his products, his restaurants, and everything else he creates, including his book, The Tra Vigne Cookbook, Seasons in the California Wine Country, (Chronicle Books), and his  television series, Season By Season, airing on PBS stations throughout the country.

In the beautiful surroundings of California's Napa Valley, surrounded by many of the most extraordinary ingredients available anywhere,  Michael Chiarello is living his passion for fine food, family, and friends and cooking is a wonderful gift that he shares.   In his mind, everyone who works or sits at  his table is family, and has contributed to the success he's enjoyed and the rewarding life he leads.  At his restaurants, in his book, and in his tv series,  Michael Chiarello shows everyone the way to taste the good life.

• Tra Vigne Restaurant
  1050 Charter Oak Avenue
  St. Helena, California
  (707) 963-4444

For more information about Michael Chiarello and his many culinary projects: http://www.napastyle.com