Kwame Onwuachi
Born 1989 · Age 36
American chef, author, and restaurateur known for Shaw Bijou, Kith and Kin, and Tatiana; 2019 James Beard Rising Star Chef.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Long Island, New York
Kwame Onwuachi was born on Long Island and later grew up in The Bronx.
Sent to live with grandfather in Nigeria
At age 10 his mother sent him to live with his grandfather in Nigeria for two years to 'learn respect.'
Returned from Nigeria
Completed two-year stay in Nigeria and returned to the United States.
Expelled from University of Bridgeport
Expelled after several months for dealing drugs; led to major life and career changes.
Graduated Bronx Leadership Academy (high school)
Despite earlier expulsions from multiple schools, he graduated from Bronx Leadership Academy, a public charter high school.
Enrolled at University of Bridgeport
Enrolled at the University of Bridgeport after high school graduation.
Moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Moved to live with his mother in Baton Rouge after leaving college.
Cooked on boat during Deepwater Horizon cleanup
Hired to cook on a boat serving crews cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; a reintroduction to cooking.
Returned to New York City; waited tables at Craft
Returned to NYC in November 2010; worked waiting tables at Tom Colicchio's Craft restaurant.
Founded Onwuachi's Coterie Catering
Started his own catering service after returning to New York City.
Enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
Began formal culinary training at the CIA in Hyde Park, NY.
Externship at Per Se
Worked an externship at Thomas Keller's Per Se while studying at CIA.
Graduated CIA with Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts
Completed CIA program and earned an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts (approximate year based on enrollment).
Worked as line cook at Eleven Madison Park
Took a line cook position at Eleven Madison Park after graduating from CIA.
Contestant on Top Chef (Season 13)
Competed on Bravo's Top Chef: California and placed sixth; significant national exposure.
Opened Shaw Bijou (Washington, D.C.)
Opened an upscale tasting-menu restaurant in a converted townhouse in the Shaw neighborhood offering a 13-course menu.
Scaled back Shaw Bijou menu and prices
Two months after opening he reduced prices and simplified the menu in response to mixed reviews and customer feedback.
Shaw Bijou closed by primary investor
The primary investor closed Shaw Bijou in January 2017 after under three months of operation.
Hired to open Kith and Kin at InterContinental (DC)
Hired to open a restaurant in the InterContinental Hotel on D.C.'s Southwest Waterfront; concept later named Kith and Kin.
Opened Kith and Kin (Afro-Caribbean restaurant)
Opened Kith and Kin, serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine influenced by Louisiana, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Nigeria.
Washington Post review of Kith and Kin
The Washington Post published a favorable review noting Onwuachi 'hits his stride' at Kith and Kin.
Named Zagat and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree (bio claim)
Site biography states he is a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes (year not specified).
Kith and Kin featured in Michelin Guide
Kith and Kin was reviewed/listed by the Michelin Guide in 2019, signaling mainstream culinary recognition.
Named Food & Wine Best New Chef
Food & Wine magazine named Onwuachi one of its Best New Chefs in 2019.
James Beard Foundation: Rising Star Chef of the Year
Won the 2019 James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year.
Esquire named Chef of the Year
Esquire Magazine named him its 2019 Chef of the Year and cited Kith and Kin among Best New Restaurants.
Named to Time's 100 Next (listed on promotional bio)
Listed on Time's 100 Next list (date given on his site's bio); year not specified in all sources.
Published memoir: Notes from a Young Black Chef
Co-authored memoir with Joshua David Stein chronicling his upbringing and rise in fine dining; published by Knopf/Doubleday.
Resigned as chef of Kith and Kin
In July 2020 Onwuachi resigned his position at Kith and Kin to pursue opening his own restaurant concepts.
Hosted James Beard Awards (2021)
Served as host for the 2021 James Beard Awards (ceremony activities and visibility).
Appointed Executive Producer at Food & Wine
Joined Food & Wine magazine as Executive Producer to collaborate on brand moments and events.
Guest judge on Top Chef Season 18
Returned to Top Chef Kitchen as a guest judge for Season 18, marking a shift from contestant to authority.
Announced as host of 2021 James Beard Awards
Public announcement that Onwuachi would host the 2021 James Beard Awards.
Published cookbook: My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef
Co-authored cookbook with Joshua David Stein; published in May 2022.
Hosted James Beard Awards (2022, Chicago)
Hosted the James Beard Awards held in Chicago in 2022.
2nd Annual 'The Family Reunion' event at Salamander Resort
Co-created/hosted The Family Reunion event (multi-day event celebrating diversity in hospitality) Aug 18-21, 2022.
Opened Tatiana at Lincoln Center (New York City)
Launched Tatiana, a restaurant fusing Caribbean, African, and American South flavors, at Lincoln Center in NYC.
Tatiana named 'One to Watch' by World's 50 Best and listed by La Liste
Tatiana received multiple accolades including being tagged 'The One to Watch' by World's 50 Best and included on La Liste's World's Best Restaurants list (per his website).
Featured coverage in Forbes and other outlets
Major outlets including Forbes and Maxim published profiles and coverage about Onwuachi and Tatiana during 2023.
Tatiana reviewed by The New Yorker
The New Yorker published coverage of Tatiana, recognizing the restaurant's concept and execution.
The New York Times review of Tatiana; named #1 NYC restaurant
The New York Times reviewed Tatiana (March 14, 2023) and his site cites Tatiana as 'The #1 Restaurant in New York City' in coverage following the review.
Listed as 'most important Chef in America' (site claim from San Francisco Chronicle)
His site cites the San Francisco Chronicle naming him the most important Chef in America (date not specified on site).
Featured on Netflix/chef documentary: Chef's Table episode
Featured in an episode of Chef's Table in 2024, increasing national/international profile.
Planned partnership to open Dōgon with Salamander DC (announced)
Announced plan/partnership to open a new restaurant concept, Dōgon, at the Salamander DC hotel in summer 2024.
Memoir film adaptation option (A24 involvement noted on site)
His memoir Notes from a Young Black Chef is being turned into a feature film by A24 (site claim; year approximate/public mention on his website).
Key Achievement Ages
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