Tom Colicchio

Tom Colicchio is an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and advocate, known for his culinary establishments and his role as head judge on Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’. He leverages his platform to champion food policy and combat hunger. After serving as sous-chef to Thomas Keller at Rakel in Manhattan during the mid-1980s, Tom Colicchio went on to co-found Gramercy Tavern in New York City with Danny Meyer in July 1994. This acclaimed establishment quickly gained recognition, being voted Most Popular Restaurant in New York City by the Zagat Survey in both 2003 and 2005.

This experience solidified his commitment to social justice, leading him to become an active voice in Washington, D.C. for food policy. He has also hosted the reality series ‘Best New Restaurant’ in 2015 and made cameo appearances in various television shows and films, including ‘Treme’, ‘The Simpsons’, and ‘The Smurfs’. Colicchio actively works with organizations such as City Harvest and Food Bank for New York City, serving on their food councils.

In 2020, Colicchio launched the ‘Citizen Chef’ podcast, a platform dedicated to exploring food, politics, policy, and citizenship, further amplifying his advocacy efforts. His latest literary work, ‘Why I Cook,’ was published in 2024, combining elements of memoir and cookbook. Colicchio continues to leverage his acclaimed platform to champion critical food policy initiatives and combat hunger, cementing his status as a leading voice in both the culinary and advocacy spheres.