MICHAEL CHIARELLO’S LIFE AT A GLANCE
“Take something that everyone understands and present it in a way they could never imagine."
- Chef Chiarello
2023 Based on its lasting reputation, Bottega had its biggest year ever in 2023, up over 30% to a new high.
2023 Chef Michael Chiarello died, October 6, 2023 in Napa, California
2017 Opened Ottimo, at Italian Eatery and Marketplace, in Yountville, CA, in the heart of the Napa Valley, adjacent to Bottega.
2014-2016 Bottega Gran Fondo Cycling Event: Geoff Drummond/Julia Child
2013 Michael opens acclaimed Spanish hit Coqueta Restaurant in San Francisco, on Pier 5 Embarcadero, blocks from the Ferry Building.
2011 Michael receives The Culinary Institute of America Alumni of the Year Award, and competes on Food Network’s The Next Iron Chef. Bottega cookbook receives IACP & James Beard Award nominations. Chiarello Vineyards 2007 Eileen Cabernet receives 92 Points from Wine Spectator.
2011 Lexus Culinary Masters
2011 Emeril’s Carnivale, Auction N.V., Pebble Beach, NY Food + Wine, Aspen, South Beach, Napa Valley Film Festival
2010 Begins regular contributor to Martha Stewart Living Radio and SF Chronicle Inside Scoop Voices column.
2010 Michael Chiarello’s Bottega cookbook is released, celebrating his Italian-inspired Napa Valley restaurant.
2010 Chiarello Family Vineyard’s 2008 Giana Zinfandel received 93 points from Wine Spectator.
2010 Delta Airlines First Class Chef
2000s
2000s
2009 Michael takes second place on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters and wins $30,000 for local charity.
2009 Michael & his wife Eileen develop Dirt to Dine, a farm-based culinary adventure camp for children
2008 Michael opened his Napa Valley restaurant, Bottega, in Yountville, CA to much critical acclaim, including SF Chronicle (Three Stars, Top 100), Zagat (Best Newcomer), Esquire (Top 20), Forbes (Top 10), NapaStyle opened flagship store, across from Bottega, which includes Café & Wine Shop.
2008 Chef at 2008 Grammy Party.
2007 Chiarello Family Vineyard’s 2004 Eileen Cabernet received 93 points from Wine Spectator
2007 Chiarello Family Vineyard’s 2004 Bambino Cabernet received 91 points from Wine Spectator
2006 Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello (Food Network), wins third Emmy Award for Best Directing
2005 Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello (Food Network) wins two Emmy Awards, including a Best Host Emmy for Michael Chiarello
2004 Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello (Food Network) doubled its airtime in the popular weekend In the Kitchen cooking block
2003 Launched Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello (Food Network) and NapaStyle (Fine Living Network; Aired one of highest-rated shows in Food Network history (Nov. 2003)
2002 Published IACP award-winning cookbook, Michael Chiarello’s Casual Cooking. Became a Monthly Lifestyle Contributor to CBS The Early Show.
2001 Launched new PBS show, Michael Chiarello’s Napa, and published coffee table format book, Napa Stories to celebrate Napa Valley icons.
2000 Launched the PBS cooking series, Season by Season. Created NapaStyle, a lifestyle retailer and its exclusive line of artisan foods, kitchen and home goods.
1990s
1990s
1999 Published The Tra Vigne Cookbook.
1998 Bottled first vintage of Chiarello Vineyards wine, which received a 92-point Wine Spectator rating. Received the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award.
1998 Bocuse d’Or Judge with CIA
1997 Created Caffe Museo in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Tomatina in St. Helena, CA.
1997 Ambassador to Hong Kong/Bangkok with Mandarin Oriental + Cathay Pacific
1996 Published Flavored Vinegars: Cooking with Infused Vinegars Cookbook
1995 Chef of the Year by the Culinary Institute of America. Published Flavored Oils: 50 Recipes for Cooking with Infused Oils.
1994 Opened Ajax Tavern in Aspen, CO. Won Best Product Line at the International Fancy Food Show for Consorzio Flavored Oils.
1993 Founded San Francisco-based PanORama Baking Co.
1980s
1980s
1986 Arrived in Napa Valley as founding chef of Tra Vigne Restaurant
1985 Named Chef of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine.
1982 Graduated from Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY
1980 Graduated Turlock High School
1962 Born January 26, 1962 in Red Bluff, California