Won a StarChef New York's Rising Star Award for Best New Restaurant Concept for Xie Xie in 2009
Graduated with high honors from the Culinary Institute of America in 1997
Worked as a sous chef to Christian Bertrand at the Stonehenge Restaurant & Inn and Acqua
Quote: "As a chef, my cuisine is an extension of who I am - I deeply respect the wisdom of tradition and I am inspired by adventure and new experiences․"
Best known as a professional chef who was the runner-up during season seven of "Top Chef․"
Opened his first restaurant, Xie Xie, in Hell's Kitchen in New York in 2009
Released his cookbook "Flavor Exposed," which also serves as a autobiography of his journey to becoming a chef, in 2012
Also worked with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, his mentor, for several years