This executive chef made history as the only Black chef to receive a Michelin star in New York City, Black Enterprise reports.
Charlie Mitchell is a Detroit native whose grandmother inspired his love for cooking. As a child, he watched her work in the kitchen to feed the family, igniting his idea to go to culinary school. He attended for a few months but dropped out and opted for in-person training instead. After a few Google searches, he was able to find a kitchen that solidified his desire to be a professional chef. “In that kitchen is where I was like, ‘Wow, like I love the way they work. I love how professional it is, using ingredients like I’ve never had, I’ve never learned about,’” Mitchell said.
Now an executive chef and co-owner of Clover Hill, a fine-dining restaurant in Brooklyn Heights where he curated the menu, Mitchell continues to perfect his craft. Within one year of opening, Clover Hill had already earned its first Michelin star and Mitchell was named Best Young Chef by Michelin. He is now the first Black chef in New York City to achieve such a feat and the second Black chef in the nation to earn a Michelin star.
“You always think about the people, so many people have come before you. You just assume that someone has already done this, you know, it doesn’t cross your mind that you may be the first or second to do really anything, especially here in New York City,” Mitchell said.
The young chef is also a semi-finalist for the “Emerging Chef” James Beard Award, proving to us all that he’s just getting started. You deserve it, Mitchell!
Photo: Natalie Black Photography/ Michelin.com