About
Chef, Author, Cyclist and Philanthropist.
Chris Cosentino a passionate chef, author, cyclist, and philanthropist.
A graduate of the culinary program at Johnson & Wales University in his home state of Rhode Island, Cosentino got his professional start at some of the country’s most beloved restaurants in Washington, D.C. and then the Bay Area. In his first executive chef position at Incanto, elevating a neighborhood Italian restaurant to the international scene. During his twelve-year tenure, Cosentino drew critical acclaim for his innovative Italian and whole animal cooking. Cosentino mastered the art of hand-crafted cured meats and helped raise awareness about sustainability & utilizing the entire animal. He also created Boccalone, a celebrated cured meat company, with manufacturing and retail operations in the Bay Area.
Cosentino won the popular series Top Chef Masters, competing against the nation’s top chefs to take the coveted title while earning over $140,000 for The Michael J. Fox Foundation. He has hosted, judged and competed on numerous national food television shows, including Top Chef; Top Chef Family Style; Iron Chef America; Next Iron Chef; Guy’s Grocery Games; The Best Thing I Ever Ate; Tournament of Champions; Chefs vs. City.
Chris By the Numbers:
Cooking competitions won: 10
Restaurants opened: 5 and counting
Cookbooks authored: 2
Cookbooks in personal collection: 3000
Bike races competed in: 100+
Miles on the bike per week: 200+
Charities supported: Endless
Chris Cosentino: “Be Careful What You Wish For”
Chris Cosentino ran San Francisco’s Incanto for over a decade, where he cooked in the nose-to-tail style and earned high praise from critics nationwide. He has appeared on several television programs, including Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America. In this video from MAD4, the chef explores the darker side of food television.
During his speech, Cosentino fights through tears as he, for the first time, publicly expresses regret over having participated in a food TV commitment that ended up leaving him humiliated and physically ill. Apart from getting the matter off his chest and experiencing catharsis in front of his colleagues, Cosentino used the platform to offer some advice to rising chefs: before stepping out of the kitchen and exploring the new opportunities available to you, make sure to do your research and consult with knowledgable advisors.
Philanthropy
Having the ability to give back to the community is powerful. The causes that I am passionate about are Climate Change, Ending Childhood hunger, and Parkinson’s Research. These organizations mean a great deal to me and you can help by getting involved & becoming a member of these organizations.