Discover The Career Path Of A Culinary Arts Idol: Michael Mina
Some of the most inspirational, world-renowned chefs have graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Upon completion of their degree, a majority go on to be legends in their field. Introducing Michael Mina, a Culinary Arts Idol.
Would you like to become like Michael Mina and work in the most prestigious Michelin-Star restaurants from around the world? Placement International might just have the perfect opportunities for you!
Mina was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1969 before moving to the USA at the age of two. He recounts that in his early days, his mother would make Middle Eastern delicacies and fill the house with incredible smells. In the Mina household, food was an experience to be enjoyed as a group every day. It was this that first attracted young Michael Mina to the culinary world.
Mina began his culinary career at 15, at the Garde Manger position of a small French restaurant in his hometown. There, Michael Mina began to learn the ins and outs of the industry from the bottom up. Later on, he states that is when he decided to become a chef.
After graduating high school, Michael and the Mina family decided to take his career abroad and enroll in the Culinary Arts of America. The aim was to learn from the best, to become the best.
His education at the CIA would serve as a “springboard”. He began working under chef Charlie Palmer, a former CIA alumni, in the high-end Aureole restaurant, while completing his degree. The effect of this side job was immense as he has stated that Palmer was one of his greatest and most influential mentors.
Upon graduation, Mina immediately accepted a position from one of his culinary idols, George Morron, another CIA alumni, at the famous Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles. Michael created the menu and designed an upscale seafood restaurant in San Francisco with Morron. And thus: Aqua was born!
Aqua, the first restaurant to be designed by Michael Mina, was an immediate success. He quickly moved up from chef de cuisine to executive chef in almost no time. Michael remained in the position of executive chef for nine years.
While Mina excelled and enjoyed his role as an executive chef, he had the potential for more. So in 2002, Michael Mina split from Aqua, and later that same year he formed the Mina group with Andre Agassi. Mina opened 45 operations under his visionary leadership with the Mina group. The pioneering restaurant of this group, Michael Mina, is a Michelin star restaurant that blends the traditional US/European techniques alongside a Middle Eastern flair.
Both the Mina Group and the man himself won numerous accolades, with Michael Mina winning three James Beard Awards: Rising Star Chef in 1997, Best California Chef in 2002, and Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in 2013. Mina has also frequently appeared in the media, having published multiple books about his craft and appearing in various TV and video series in the culinary world.
Michael worked hard to get where he is, as there are no shortcuts in life. He was able to accelerate his professional goals by working in luxurious restaurants during his degree. In fact, Mina values hard work over education, as it shows dedication to the industry. Placement International is a cultural exchange program that works with the Mina Group restaurants so young professionals can learn from the very best chefs in the culinary world! Placement International aids graduates to gain paid work experience in the industry which jumpstarts their career!
Mina began his culinary career at 15, at the Garde Manger position of a small French restaurant in his hometown. There, Michael Mina began to learn the ins and outs of the industry from the bottom up. Later on, he states that is when he decided to become a chef.
After graduating high school, Michael and the Mina family decided to take his career abroad and enroll in the Culinary Arts of America. The aim was to learn from the best, to become the best.
His education at the CIA would serve as a “springboard”. He began working under chef Charlie Palmer, a former CIA alumni, in the high-end Aureole restaurant, while completing his degree. The effect of this side job was immense as he has stated that Palmer was one of his greatest and most influential mentors.
Upon graduation, Mina immediately accepted a position from one of his culinary idols, George Morron, another CIA alumni, at the famous Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles. Michael created the menu and designed an upscale seafood restaurant in San Francisco with Morron. And thus: Aqua was born!
Aqua, the first restaurant to be designed by Michael Mina, was an immediate success. He quickly moved up from chef de cuisine to executive chef in almost no time. Michael remained in the position of executive chef for nine years.
While Mina excelled and enjoyed his role as an executive chef, he had the potential for more. So in 2002, Michael Mina split from Aqua, and later that same year he formed the Mina group with Andre Agassi. Mina opened 45 operations under his visionary leadership with the Mina group. The pioneering restaurant of this group, Michael Mina, is a Michelin star restaurant that blends the traditional US/European techniques alongside a Middle Eastern flair.
Both the Mina Group and the man himself won numerous accolades, with Michael Mina winning three James Beard Awards: Rising Star Chef in 1997, Best California Chef in 2002, and Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in 2013. Mina has also frequently appeared in the media, having published multiple books about his craft and appearing in various TV and video series in the culinary world.
Michael worked hard to get where he is, as there are no shortcuts in life. He was able to accelerate his professional goals by working in luxurious restaurants during his degree. In fact, Mina values hard work over education, as it shows dedication to the industry. Placement International is a cultural exchange program that works with the Mina Group restaurants so young professionals can learn from the very best chefs in the culinary world! Placement International aids graduates to gain paid work experience in the industry which jumpstarts their career!
Hospitality professionals who are seeking paid work experience upon completion of their studies, Placement International can help! The team will match each individual with the perfect job opportunity at the chosen luxury hotel or Michelin star restaurant! For more information, contact info@placement-int.com.
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