Michael Psilakis Instagram Michael Psilakis is the Greek American chef of Greek restaurant MP Taverna in New York and author of Live to Eat: Cooking the Mediterranean Way and How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking. He's appeared on food TV shows The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Iron Chef America, and Ultimate Recipe Showdown. Experience Psilakis grew up in a Greek family on Long Island. After graduating college, he become a waiter at Italian restaurant Ecco and immersed himself in the restaurant from manager to owner, eventually stepping in for the chef and never looking back.Self taught from experimenting in only his own restaurants, Psilakis opened Onera on Manhattan's Upper West Side in 2004, followed by Dona, Anthos, Kefi, and Mia Dona. Esquire named him Chef of the Year in 2006, Grub Street called him a "Greek god" in 2007, and Psilakis was a 2008 F&W Best New Chef.Anthos won the 2008 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, and MP Taverna has had locations in Astoria, Queens; Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Long Island; and Irvington, New York, where it remains open. Education Psilakis graduated from Pace University. About Food & Wine Food & Wine, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning online resource for anyone passionate about the culinary world. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel and home coverage, we inspire and empower people everywhere to discover, create, and devour the best in food and wine. Learn more about us and our editorial process.