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Won Best New Chef at: JiRaffe, Santa Monica, California

Where are they now?

After creating JiRaffe in Santa Monica with longtime friend and fellow Best New Chef Raphael Lunetta in 1996, Citrin struck out on his own to open Mélisse with his wife, Diane, in 1999. There, his French-inspired menu features local ingredients in seasonal dishes like sweet-pea soup with minted yogurt and organic greens with summer truffle vinaigrette. In March 2007, he and Lunetta joined forces again to open Lemon Moon, a takeout-heavy day spot serving breakfast and lunch.

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