Susan Feniger

Susan Feniger is a chef, author, entrepreneur, and co-owner of Mundo Hospitality Group, recognized for her influence in American cuisine and the restaurant industry. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Feniger joined the predominantly male kitchen at Chicago's Le Perroquet, where she met Mary Sue Milliken. Feniger later worked for Wolfgang Puck at Ma Maison in Los Angeles, refined her culinary skills in the French Riviera, and returned to open City Café with Milliken, contributing to the evolution of Los Angeles' dining scene. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History houses small dishes from City Café, reflecting the restaurant's cultural significance.

Feniger and Milliken continued to break barriers as female restaurateurs, pioneering sustainability initiatives and expanding their business to include food trucks and a full-service events and catering company. They transformed CITY into the first Border Grill, focusing on authentic Mexican home cooking and street foods, a concept developed after traveling through Mexico. Border Grill received recognition from Gourmet Magazine as one of the best restaurants in America and was honored with the IVY Award from Restaurants & Institutions magazine. Feniger and Milliken also opened the restaurant "Alice B." in Palm Springs, which features seasonal, French, and Mediterranean influences. Alice B. was named one of the 101 best restaurants in California by the Los Angeles Times.

Feniger is a television personality, appearing with Milliken in hundreds of episodes of "Too Hot Tamales" and "Tamales World Tour" on Food Network. Julia Child invited Feniger and Milliken to appear on her PBS series "Cooking with Master Chefs," which contributed to their television careers. Feniger also competed on the second season of "Top Chef Masters" and co-hosted the food-focused radio show KCRW's "Good Food" in Los Angeles. Feniger collaborated with filmmaker Liz Lachman to create the documentary film "Susan Feniger. FORKED," which explores her career and personal journey.

Feniger has co-authored several cookbooks with Milliken, including "City Cuisine," "Mesa Mexicana," "Cantina: The Best of Casual Mexican Cooking," "Cooking with Too Hot Tamales," and "Mexican Cooking for Dummies." Her book "Susan Feniger's Street Food: Irresistibly Crispy, Creamy, Crunchy, Spicy, Sticky, Sweet Recipes" highlights her expertise in global street cuisine. Feniger and Milliken were the first women and the first duo to receive the Julia Child Award at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Additional honors include the Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Restaurant Association, induction into the Menu Masters Hall of Fame, and the Gold Award from the Los Angeles Times. Feniger also received the Augie Award at the Culinary Institute of America's Leadership Awards Celebrating Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.

Beyond her culinary work, Feniger is active in philanthropy and community leadership. She is a founding member of the Scleroderma Research Foundation Board of Directors, serves on the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, and co-chairs the board of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where she supports the Center's Culinary Arts Program. Feniger and Milliken co-founded Women Chefs & Restaurateurs and Chefs Collaborative, organizations dedicated to advancing women in the restaurant industry and promoting sustainable food systems. Feniger also works with the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Blue Ribbon Task Force to promote sustainable seafood and implements eco-friendly practices in her restaurants. Her career encompasses restaurants, television, cookbooks, and advocacy, establishing Feniger as a prominent figure in the culinary world.