Chef and Restaurateur
Matt Yohalem
Restaurants
SANTA FE DINING Company (2021-2022)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Corporate Executive Chef
Responsible for the re-opening, staffing, menu development, training and promoting four signature restaurants. Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen, Rio Chama Prime Steakhouse, La Casa Sena - Mediterranean Inspired Cuisine & Hidden Mountain Brewing Co.
il Piatto Italian Farmhouse Kitchen (1996-2020)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Executive Chef / Proprietor/ Founder
Farm to Table Italian Fine Dining / 110 Seats and Wine Bar
Esquire Best New Restaurants, Four Stars, Best of Santa Fe, Best Restaurant New Mexico, Best Chef Edible Hero, Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence
Belle Forche’ Criolle Restaurant & Bar (2001-2005)
New Orleans, Louisiana
Executive Chef / Proprietor / Founder / Promoter
Criolle Fine Dining, Cajun Café & Late Night Bar
200 Seats, 40 Seat Cafe, 20 Seat Bar & Banquets
3.5 Stars Times Picayune, 4 Stars New Orleans Gambit, Food Network Feature
Bistro 315 (1995-2000)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Executive Chef / Proprietor / Founder
Farm to Table French Bistro Cooking Fine Dining / 100 Seats
4 Stars, James Beard nominated, Bon Appétit “Best American Chefs”
Du Marche’ (1993-1994)
New York City, New York
Executive Chef / Partner
Farm to Table French Country Cooking, 75 seats
Village Voice, New York Magazine, New York Best
Work History
• Chef Saucier, Coyote Cafe - Chef Mark Miller, Santa Fe, NM
• Chef Poissonnier, Le Cirque - Chef Daniel Boulud, 4 Star NYT, NYC
• Chef Commis, Andre Daguin - 2 Michelin Stars, Paris, Auch, France
• Chef Tournant, Commander’s Palace - Chef Emeril Lagasse & Miss Ella Brennan, New Orleans, LA
• Chef de Partie, Union Square Cafe - Managing Proprietor Danny Meyer, NYC
• Chef Saucier, Hotel Intercontinental, NYC
• Chef de Partie, La Petite France - 4 Stars Washington Post, Certified Master Chef Program
Education
• 2022
- Kaplan School of Business
- Wharton School of Business
- HBS Online CORe
• 1999 - NOLS, Tanzania and Kenya Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Whiskey Route
• 1991 - Alliance Francaise, Paris, France
• 1988 - Johnson & Wales University, Culinary Arts, Restaurant Management, Providence, RI
• 1984 - Bronx High School of Science, New York City, NY
Board of directors
• Santa Fe Farmer's Market Institute
• Santa Fe Restaurant Association
• Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
Accolades
• Santa Fe Farmers Market Lifetime All-Star Award 2018
• Edible New Mexico Best Chef Santa Fe 2016
• Edible New Mexico Best Restaurant 2013
• Esquire Best New Restaurants 1996
• James Beard Nomination Best Chefs - Southwest 1996
Press
Gourmet, Travel and Leisure, NY Post, NY Village Voice, Santa Fe New Mexican, Albuquerque Journal, Times Picayune NOLA, Elle, Elle Decor, Wine Spectator, Condé Nast
Continuing Education
International competitive wining and dining, from California wine country to the fish markets of Japan, from Brooklyn to Bangkok, Chicago to Canton, I’ve spent a lifetime studying how people live through the food they eat. I’ve dined at the number one restaurant in the world, enjoyed the midnight street food in Tokyo and visited the markets, vineyards and craftsmen from Morocco and Milan, to Mexico City and Munich.
Matt’s Creations
