At his award-winning seafood-focused culinary concepts, Executive Chef & Restaurateur  Michael Cimarusti, winner of the 2019 James Beard ‘Best Chef: West’ award, combines his  knowledge and appreciation of the dynamic nature of seafood with an advocacy for sustainable  fishing practices evident in every dish. Cimarusti’s acclaimed restaurant Providence, a bastion of  Los Angeles fine dining for almost two decades, has yielded numerous James Beard Award  nominations and two highly coveted Michelin stars for over a decade, and a newly minted  Michelin Green Star. Located in the heart of West Hollywood, Connie and Ted’s pays homage to  Cimarusti’s grandparents and the simple, honest seafood cookery of New England. “Seafood has inspired me in a personal way from the very start,” Cimarusti says. “It is  my duty to staunchly support its conservation and best practices, and it’s my privilege to have  the opportunity to showcase it on a nightly basis.” 

The New Jersey native was first lured to L.A. by Wolfgang Puck to become chef de cuisine  at the original Spago, followed by stints at New York City’s Osteria del Circo; the Michelin three starred Arpège; and Le Cirque, where he cooked with legends such as Paul Bocuse, Roger Vergé, and Gérard Boyer. He then spent six years at downtown L.A.’s famed Water Grill, earning a  national reputation for his fish mastery. 

His path for a storied culinary career was spurred from experience in his youth: fishing  with his grandfather and learning of his Italian heritage from his grandmother’s and great grandmother’s cooking. His most influential professional experience came just after graduating  with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, when he headed down the  Hudson River to New York City to cook at An American Place with Chef Larry Forgione.  Working garde manger, the young chef had access to the leading edge of the farm-to-table  movement that would soon transform American cuisine. “Much of the reverence I have for  ingredients came from my experience with Larry,” Cimarusti says. While working in Forgione’s  kitchen, he also met his future wife and business partner, the talented pastry chef Cristina  Echiverri. 

Today, Cimarusti, Echiverri, and Co-Owner/General Manager Donato Poto operate two distinctive concepts across Los Angeles: Providence and Connie & Ted’s. Outside of his  restaurants, Michael actively supports the Special Olympics, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation  for Childhood Cancer, and always finds time to go fishing with his two children and wife, Crisi. 

PARTICIPATING EVENTS:

Opening Night Reception

Culinary Demo: Champion of Sustainability, Michael Cimarusti