Michelle Bernstein '94, '03 HDR

With numerous high visibility projects, Miami native Michelle Bernstein is "hot." With the 2006 opening of Michy's — a cosmopolitan Miami hot spot that reflects Michelle's Argentinian roots, this south Florida native has cemented her reputation among America's most elite chefs. Michy's was named one of the country's "Hot 10" restaurants in the June 2006 issue of Bon Appetit. Michelle has also brought her unique version of "new American" cuisine to her signature restaurant "MB" at the posh new luxury hotel Aqua in Cancun.                  
 
In addition to these endeavors, Michelle has been contracted to create all of the menus for mega-restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow's Social restaurants, which serve globally influenced foods with a local bent in cities across America. And in May, 2006, Michelle secured a highly visible contract with Delta Airlines to create exclusive menu options for its international BusinessElite customers.
 
But Michelle wasn't always on the culinary track. In fact, she spent the early part of her life pursuing a career in dance, studying with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in New York. But homesickness and a desire to pursue her culinary talent brought her back to Miami. After graduating from J&W, Michelle began her culinary career at several award-winning restaurants including Red Fish Grill and Christy's, located in Coral Gables, and Tantra in Miami Beach. She trained with Jean Louis Palladin, one of the only Michelin Chefs (two stars) in this country, and honed her skills at Alison on Dominick and Le Bernardin in New York. After this experience, she was Executive Chef and Co-owner of The Strand, and then went on to significant critical acclaim as the chef at Azul, Mandarin Oriental in Miami.
 
If this weren't enough, for two years Michelle co-hosted The Food Network's "Melting Pot," a show that presents the traditions, stories and recipes of her Latin background. Michelle came back to The Food Network in 2005 to take on, and defeat, Chef Bobby Flay on the show "Iron Chef America." Michelle also appeared on "The Today Show" cooking her signature dishes alongside weatherman Al Roker.   
 
With all this activity, it's not surprising that Michelle's work has received notice. She has been featured in The New York Times, Bon Appetit, Gourmet and Food & Wine magazines. Chef Bernstein was also nominated for The 2004 James Beard Foundation Awards — the nation's premier honors for culinary professionals — in the coveted "Best Chefs in America" category for the Southeast region. Recently, Michelle opened a new restaurant in the summer of 2006 called, "Michy's." Michy's offers a casual dining experience that is one to remember. Berstein's work at Michy's landed her in the 2006 edition of O magazine, naming her "the most creative chef in Miami." 
 
Michelle says, "Johnson & Wales was perfect — when I walked in I was in awe. A degree definitely makes a difference. Anyone can do it, it just starts with an education."
 
Most recently, Michelle worked along side former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman at The World Table event, held at J&W's North Miami campus. The event, co-sponsored by Share Our Strength's Operation Frontline, targets low-income families and youth on how to prepare healthy meals on a limited budget. Michelle was amazed by the commitment and versatility of the teenagers, saying "You have to be very giving to become a good chef... these kis could have done even more."