THE PHILOSOPHER
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3 Starred Michelin, Chicago native and major in Philosophy before entering the kitchen. Head Chef at The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, California. Born in 1977.
A Michelin-starred chef before the age of 30, Christopher Kostow takes a thoughtful approach to food that belies his age. Drawing upon his own American upbringing but more importantly the bounty of the surrounding Napa Valley, Kostow creates a transcendent experience for diners every night at The Restaurant at Meadowood.
Under Chef Trey Foshee at Georges on the Cove in San Diego Kostow moved up from shucking oysters to creating dishes himself for the menu. From there he traveled to France, working everywhere from a Paris bistro to the Michelin-starred Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier.
Upon returning to the States, Kostow worked as Sous Chef under Daniel Humm in San Francisco. He soon became head chef at Chez TJ in Mountain View, California, receiving two Michelin stars.
Arriving at Meadowood in early 2008, Chef Kostow again garnered two Michelin Stars, was nominated for Best Chef, Pacific, by the James Beard Society and named as one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs 2009.
In 2010, he gained a rare four stars in the San Francisco Chronicle and was soon awarded the highest ranking of three Michelin Stars from the esteemed Guide, being only the second American-born chef and third youngest chef ever to receive three Michelin stars.
Chef Kostow has retained three Stars from Michelin in both the 2012 and 2013 edition of the San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country Restaurants Guide. Finally, in 2013, he was appointed the James Beard Society Award “Best Chef – West”, the US culinary answer to the Academy Awards.
At a point he completely decided that he would stay in the Napa Valley. Once he committed to living in and cooking from this place it was like entering into the service of a bigger ideal. It was at this point that he achieved a new level of directional clarity about the food presented.
As the only 3* Michelin Chef in the US – perhaps the world, Chef Kostow therefore offers singular dining, challenging himself to define it by creating something distinctive for each guest.
In short he got rid of the menu.
In an effort to create a deeper connection between his guests, servers and the chef’s team, The Restaurant at Meadowood begins a culinary dialogue the moment a reservation is made as the staff speaks to each guest concerning their likes and dislikes, allergies and aversions.
A specific menu is then created by Chef Kostow and team for each table.
With a culinary DNA taking its outspring in the local ingredients of Napa Valley – The Restaurant at Meadowood is a fine dining experience of the fairytale forest it is situated in, – also having a chef full-time employed to forage the Napa wilderness to Chef Kostow’s kitchen, as well a greater garden solely producing organic vegetables for the magnificent, thought through, local servings of the restaurant.
Chef Kostow states:
“When you first live in a place, you don’t see how it will affect the way you approach your life. But as you become immersed in a community, meet your neighbors, explore the natural resources, understand the values and recognize local talent, your perspective changes. It happens slowly, quietly.”
Presenting terroir cooking at its absolute finest.
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Press play and experience a day at Meadowood – from foraging in the woods to the gardens, cooking in the kitchen and the restaurant during service.
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The wooden entrance at The Restaurant at Meadowood.
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Christopher Kostow exclusively offers his gastronomic excellence for lectures, food festivals, consultancy, private dining and exclusive dinner parties.
In case of interest or/and press, please contact Kristian Brask Thomsen at:
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Bon Vivant Communication is a culinary embassy, mainly representing star chefs and restaurants, but also chateaux and high-end wineries as well as working close together with various luxury hotels, gourmets festivals and bespoke concierges services.
The diplomacy speaks to a strong network of 250 journalists, bloggers and writers, as well as 1500 luxury diners around the globe.
Hungry for more? Have a look Behind the Scenes.
Receiving the 2013 James Beard Society Award “Best Chef – West”.
SELECTED LINKS
WEBPAGE: THE RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD
Three Michelin starred fine dining American restaurant, meant to speak to and positively impact the Napa Valley community while delivering a singular dining experience for every guest.
TIME MAGAZINE: REGIONAL CHAMPION
Christopher Kostow wants to change how we see – and taste – the Napa Valley.
BLOOMBERG TV: LOFTY VEGETABLE DISHES
About the meaning of his $500-per-person counter menu and the luxury of vegetables.
Christopher Kostow on collaboration and culinary school as well as revitalizing Meadowood and the power of slow expansion. In-depth interview with an outspring in “Twelve Days of Christmas”.
SF CHRONICLE: MEADOWOOD CHEF KEEPS 4 RARE STARS
“From start to finish, he commands the kitchen, creating dishes you won’t find on any other menu, served in a dining room awash with elegance and good taste.”
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SELECTED DISHES
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“The food at the Restaurant at Meadowood is incredible.”
– Matt Duckor, Bon Appetit.