Episode 5 | Happy Holidays

About Chef Christopher Kostow

A Michelin-starred chef before the age of 30, Christopher Kostow takes a thoughtful approach to food, drawing upon his own American upbringing and the bounty of the surrounding environments, creating an extraordinary experience for guests of The Restaurant at Meadowood, The Charter Oak, Ensue, Loveski, and his newest endeavor Ciccio.

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Christopher, a Chicago native, trained in kitchens far and wide: from a Paris bistro to the Michelin-starred Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier. Upon his return to the United States, Christopher worked as sous chef under Daniel Humm in San Francisco at Campton Place. Shortly thereafter, he became Chef at Chez TJ in Mountain View, Calif., garnering the restaurant many accolades including two Michelin stars.

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Upon arriving in the Napa Valley at Meadowood Estate in 2008, Christopher maintained two Michelin stars, and was named as one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs 2009. In 2010, Christopher earned a rare four stars from the San Francisco Chronicle and shortly thereafter was awarded the highest ranking of three Michelin stars from the esteemed 2011 Guide. In 2013, Christopher was awarded Best Chef: West by the James Beard Foundation.

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Christopher and The Restaurant team retained the three stars from Michelin for nine consecutive years; and four stars in the San Francisco Chronicle. Christopher remains the second American-born chef and third youngest chef ever to receive three Michelin stars in the history of the guide.

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Ten Speed Press published Christopher’s debut book, A New Napa Cuisine, in October of 2014. In March of 2015, his work was awarded “Book of the Year” by the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

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Christopher continues to cook food reflective of the Napa Valley that is thoughtful, personal, and in concert with his community and collaborators.

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