Michelle Bernstein
Since the pivotal Mango Gang era in the late 1980s and early 1990s, almost no other Miami chef has made as big a splash on the national culinary scene as Chef Michelle Bernstein.
A Miami native of Jewish and Latin descent, this passionate culinaire has dazzled diners and critics alike with her sublime cuisine and a personality as bright and vibrant as the Florida sun.
"My food is luxurious but approachable," says Bernstein, a James Beard Award winner (Best Chef South 2007) and author of Cuisine a Latina (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008).
She works with Delta First and Business class Elite, creating their in-flight menus and has successfully changed the taste of Delta's airplane food.
Michelle entered Johnson & Wales University in Miami and graduated in 1993 with honors. In 2006, she was given an honorary doctorate from the school for her accomplishments in the field. After graduating and training under Mark Militello and renowned chef Jean Louis Palladin, Bernstein became chef of restaurants like Strand and Tantra in Miami Beach.
In 2001, Michele became chef of Azul, and was hired by Food Network as co-host of the show "Melting Pot," where she taught viewers the art of Nuevo Latino cuisine. Years later, Michelle returned to Food Network for a victorious battle against Chef Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America.
Michelle is a regular judge on Top Chef and has made several appearances on The Today Show and Martha Stewart.
Michy's, Michelle's restaurant in Miami is what Bernstein says she has always dreamed of owning; a cozy and approachable restaurant along with her husband David Martinez. They use only fresh seasonal ingredients served in a casual yet intimate setting.
Their most recent venture together, Sra. Martinez, is a fun and creative tapas bar restaurant in Miami's design district.
