Michael Mina

Michael Mina was born in 1969 in Cairo, Egypt, and raised in Ellensburg, Washington. His culinary journey began at age 16 working in a French kitchen. He later attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. After graduation, he worked at Tribeca Grill and Aureole in New York City, then moved to Los Angeles to the Bel Air Hotel. In 1990, Mina followed Executive Chef George Morrone to San Francisco to help establish Aqua. After Morrone’s departure, Mina became the executive chef, earning numerous awards and accolades for his approach to balancing spice, sweetness, acidity, and richness in his dishes.

In 2002, Michael Mina co-founded The MINA Group with Andre Agassi, initiating a period of significant expansion. The group operates over 40 restaurants worldwide, offering diverse cuisine types and dining experiences. His flagship restaurant, Michael Mina in San Francisco, received two Michelin stars in 2006, later holding one Michelin star in subsequent years. In 2011, it was recognized as Esquire Magazine’s Restaurant of the Year. Mina has authored several cookbooks, including his first titled “Michael Mina: The Cookbook” in 2006, which won a James Beard Foundation Award for photography. He also launched _Cook Taste Eat_ in 2012, a digital culinary media company providing video content and recipes.

Throughout his career, Mina has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including three James Beard Awards for Rising Star Chef (1997), Best California Chef (2002), and Who’s Who of Food & Beverage (2013). He has also appeared on television shows such as _Hell’s Kitchen_, _Guy’s Ranch Kitchen_, and _MasterChef_. His consistent innovation led to the creation of The Mina Test Kitchen in 2015, a pop-up concept in San Francisco designed to experiment with culinary ideas. The MINA Group continues to focus on creating immersive atmospheres and impeccable service, often in collaboration with luxury hospitality brands.