Michael Mina

Michael Mina is an award-winning chef and restaurateur who has established a global culinary presence through the MINA Group, known for its exceptional dining experiences and strategic partnerships with luxury hospitality brands. After establishing Aqua in San Francisco in 1990 and quickly ascending to Executive Chef by 1993, Michael Mina embarked on a prolific culinary career marked by innovation and critical acclaim. Following his rigorous training at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Mina honed his craft in esteemed establishments including Tribeca Grill and Aureole in New York City, and the Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles. His distinctive approach to balancing spice, sweetness, acidity, and richness quickly garnered recognition, earning him the prestigious James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef in 1997.

In 2002, Mina co-founded The MINA Group with Andre Agassi, a strategic partnership that propelled a period of significant global expansion. The MINA Group now operates over 40 diverse restaurants worldwide, acclaimed for their exceptional dining experiences. His flagship restaurant, Michael Mina in San Francisco, achieved two Michelin stars in 2006, continuing to hold a Michelin star in subsequent years, and was named Esquire Magazine’s Restaurant of the Year in 2011. Further cementing his reputation, Mina was honored with the James Beard Award for Best California Chef in 2002.

Building on his literary success, his second cookbook is slated for release in 2024. The MINA Group consistently focuses on creating immersive atmospheres and impeccable service, often in collaboration with luxury hospitality brands, maintaining Michael Mina’s status as a leading global restaurateur.