Michael Chiarello is an award-winning chef and owner of the critically acclaimed Bottega restaurant in Napa Valley, who made his mark by combining the traditions of his Southern Italian roots with the distinctive hallmarks of the Napa Valley lifestyle. From his earliest childhood memories \u00e2\u20ac\u201c created around his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s California kitchen with his extended Italian family \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Michael Chiarello knew he wanted to be a chef. Decades later, Chiarello has accomplished his dream, and much more. In the time since he graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, he has garnered accolades and awards as a chef, vintner, specialty food pioneer, philanthropist, author, and television host. Throughout his achievements, Michael\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s core values are always apparent: Showcasing seasonal, sustainable products, and supporting the artisan purveyors who produce them while inspiring friends and family to gather around the table and create meaningful memories of their own. Chiarello\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s passion for the community created by food is freely shared with his fans, restaurant guests, television viewers and wine loving friends alike. Michael was named the Chef of the Year from Food & Wine Magazine in 1985, just three years after graduating from the CIA. He later received the CIA\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Chef of the Year Award in 1995, and was again acknowledged by the CIA in 2011 with their Alumni of the Year award. His books have received awards and nominations from both IACP and the James Beard Foundation. And his innovations with California olive oil in the mid-90\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s earned his olive oil business, Consorzio Flavored Oils, the Best Product Line Award at the International Fancy Food Show. After turning his love of sustainable products to his own vineyards in 1999, he created Chiarello Family Vineyards, and his small-production wines are consistently high-scoring and well-regarded. And since 2000, Chiarello has been the tastemaker behind the NapaStyle retail line of artisanal foods, kitchen and home. He has been on television for a decade as the host of his own shows on PBS, Food Network, Fine Living, and Cooking Channel. His Emmy Award\u00c2\u00ae-winning show Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello., began in 2003 and still airs daily. In 2009, he appeared on Bravo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Top Chef Masters, winning second place and over $25,000 for charity. He has appeared numerous times as judge on Bravo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Top Chef and Top Chef Masters. In Fall 2011, he appears on the Next Iron Chef on Food Network. A popular celebrity guest chef, Chiarello appears on frequently on NBC\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s The Today Show, CBS\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s The Early Show, Regis & Kelly, and The View. Based in the Napa Valley, Michael lives among his vineyards with his wife and children.<\/p>\n