Tom Colicchio

Tom Colicchio, an accomplished American celebrity chef, is the chef and owner of Crafted Hospitality. This influential organization consists of several distinguished restaurants, including Craft, Riverpark, and Temple Court in New York, Craft Los Angeles in Los Angeles, and Heritage Steak and Craftsteak in Las Vegas. Originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey, Colicchio first made his mark on the culinary scene in New York at esteemed restaurants such as The Quilted Giraffe, Gotham Bar & Grill, and the Gramercy Tavern, which he co-founded. He then took the helm at Craft in 2001, further solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in modern American cuisine. Aside from his upscale dining establishments, Colicchio founded 'wichcraft, a fast-casual sandwich and salad concept that upholds the same food and hospitality philosophies as his Craft brand. In late 2019, Colicchio and his team introduced Small Batch in Garden City, NY, celebrating local ingredients and community ties through casual dining.

Colicchio has also made significant contributions to television. As the head judge on the popular reality TV show "Top Chef," he has been a constant presence since the show's inception in 2006. In addition to his role on "Top Chef," he also serves as the main consulting producer on Bravo's spin-off series, "Top Chef Masters." His work on "Top Chef" garnered him an Emmy Award in 2010 for Outstanding Reality-Competition Programming. Beyond his involvement with "Top Chef," he hosted the reality series "Best New Restaurant" in 2015 and has made cameo appearances on shows like "Treme," "The Simpsons," and "Billions."

Colicchio's advocacy and activism efforts have been both impactful and far-reaching. He served as an executive producer for the 2013 documentary “A Place at the Table,” which delves into the causes of hunger in the United States. Following his work on the documentary, Colicchio became actively involved in food policy in Washington DC, holding Congress members accountable for their food-related voting records and working alongside former FLOTUS Michelle Obama on the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. In addition to his public policy efforts, Colicchio is a member of the Food Council at City Harvest and the Culinary Council at the Food Bank for New York City. These roles have cemented his status as the leading “Citizen Chef,” advocating for an equitable food system that prioritizes access, affordability, and nutrition.

Colicchio and his restaurants have a longstanding tradition of giving back to the community. They have formed an impact partnership with FEAST and serve on the boards of Children of Bellevue, City Harvest, and Wholesome Wave. When not in the kitchen or engaged in advocacy work, Colicchio can often be found tending to his garden on the North Fork of Long Island, enjoying a day of fishing, or playing guitar. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, filmmaker Lori Silverbush, and their three sons. To further engage with audiences and discuss important food policy issues, Colicchio launched his podcast, "Citizen Chef," in June 2020.

Colicchio's contributions to the culinary world extend beyond his restaurants and television appearances. He has authored three cookbooks, including "Craft of Cooking," sharing his knowledge and passion for food with a wider audience. Recognition of his significant impact on the industry includes winning five prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards, with the 2010 Outstanding Chef award among his many accolades.