Michael Voltaggio is an American chef, restaurant owner, and author who has made a big name for himself in the culinary world. He is popular for his creative take on modern cooking and rose to fame after winning the sixth season of Top Chef.
With his unique cooking style, he has earned both critical praise and a loyal following. Over the years, he has opened multiple restaurants, written cookbooks, and appeared on TV. He is currently one of the most respected chefs in the industry.
If you are intrigued to know more about Michael Voltaggio and his career, you are in the right place. You will find the details in the post below.
Early Life
Michael Voltaggio’s birth date is 19th September 1978. He was raised in Frederick, Maryland. At 5, his parents divorced and he was raised by his mother. He later moved to stay in his father’s house.
Despite the challenges, he found comfort and inspiration in cooking. It became a way for him to express himself and connect with others. His interest in cooking deepened during his teenage years. By the age of 15, he was already working in local restaurants, and honing his skills.
Due to financial issues, Voltaggio couldn’t afford culinary school, so he opted for an apprenticeship at The Greenbrier’s prestigious culinary program. By the age of 21, he had finished his apprenticeship under Certified Master Chef Peter Timmins. He then worked at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, and Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Naples, Florida.
Later he became the Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room in the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena. Under his leadership, the restaurant earned several top culinary awards, including the Mobil Five-Star Award, the AAA Five Diamond Award, and a Michelin Star.
Career
Michael Voltaggio’s professional journey began when he landed a job at The Greenbrier, where he completed his apprenticeship. There he worked with top chefs, which helped him sharpen his skills. During his time at The Greenbrier, he was introduced to high-level cuisine, setting the stage for his future success.
After his apprenticeship, Voltaggio moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked in several well-known restaurants, including Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen and José Andrés’s minibar.
However, his break came in 2009 when he competed on the sixth season of Top Chef and won the competition. This made him widely popular and opened up many new opportunities.
In 2011, he set up his first restaurant in Los Angeles and named it ink. The restaurant is known for its modern design and unique dishes. Besides ink., Voltaggio has opened other successful restaurants, like ink.sack, and Estuary.
Additionally, he has written a cookbook called VOLT ink. with his brother. That’s not all, he also extended his career to television, appearing on shows like Guy’s Grocery Games, Tournament of Champions, and Iron Chef America.
Personal Life
Michael Voltaggio was first married to Kerri Adams, with whom he has two daughters, Olivia and Sophia. Although the couple divorced, Voltaggio remains close to his daughters and often shares glimpses of his life with them on social media.
His current wife is Bria Vinaite, with whom he has one daughter Echo Monroe. From 2019 to 2021, Voltaggio was in a relationship with fashion designer and entrepreneur Sami Miro. He married actress Bria Vinaite on 18th November 2022, in Hawaii.
Net Worth
According to online sources, Michael Voltaggio’s net worth in 2024 is approx. $5 million. His major source of income comes from his restaurants, particularly ink., which has been highly profitable. In addition, his television appearances and cookbook sales have provided him with additional revenue.
