Bryan Voltaggio
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Bryan Voltaggio | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 (age 49–50) Frederick, Maryland, U.S. |
| Education | Culinary Institute of America |
| Spouse | Jennifer Covell[1] |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | Modern American |
Current restaurants
| |
Previous restaurants
| |
Bryan Voltaggio (born 1976)[3] is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and author. He is a Top Chef television series alum; and he was a semi-finalist for the James Beard award.[4][5] His brother is celebrity chef Michael Voltaggio.[5][6][7] He resides in Frederick, Maryland and is known for Mid-Atlantic cuisine.
Bryan Voltaggio was the oldest of three children, born to Sharon and John Voltaggio.[8] At age 7, his parents divorced and the children initially lived with their mother, and later moved to their father's house.[8] Starting in childhood, brothers Bryan and Michael were very close.[8] He attended Governor Thomas Johnson High School.[1] He is married to Jennifer Covell, whom he met in high school; and together they have three children.[1]
His first job was as a busboy at a Holiday Inn in Frederick, Maryland.[8] He took a vocational culinary program at Frederick Community College while attending Governor Thomas Johnson High School and by age 15, he was given the role of cook.[8]
Voltaggio received an AOS degree in culinary arts in 1999 from The Culinary Institute of America.[8] He was mentored by chef Charlie Palmer and Gerry Hayden, while working at restaurant Aureole.[8][9][10]
Restaurant career
In 2003, Voltaggio worked as the head chef at Charlie Palmer Steak.[8]
Bryan, along with brother Michael, opened STRFSH, a fast-casual fish sandwich shop in Santa Monica, open from October 2017 to 2021.[11] The Voltaggio brothers had co-owned Estuary in Washington D.C., which operated under their leadership from 2019 until March 2022.[12]
Restaurants
Active
- Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill (December 2016–present)[13]
- Showroom, Frederick (2020–present)
- Wye Oak Tavern at Visitation Hotel, Frederick (2024–present)[14]
Closed
Television appearances
Voltaggio was the runner-up of the sixth season of Top Chef, Bravo's cooking competition show, placing second to his brother, Michael Voltaggio;[19] subsequently he was also the runner-up on the fifth season of Top Chef Masters, and again runner-up to Melissa King on the seventeenth season of Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.[20] He was the first chef to compete on both Top Chef and Top Chef Masters.[21]
In 2022, both Voltaggio brothers appeared on season three of Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions on Food Network.[22][23]
In April 2024, Voltaggio and his brother were guest judges in the first season of the Food Network show 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing.[24] He returned as a contestant in the second season in April 2025,[25] finishing as the runner-up.
In December 2025, Voltaggio and his brother competed as a team in the first season of the Food Network show Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas and won.
In April 2026, Bryan Voltaggio became the first male chef to win ‘’Tournament of Champions” in its seventh season.
Awards, nominations and accolades
- 2010 James Beard Foundation Award "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic" Nominee[26]
- 2012 James Beard Foundation Award "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic" Semi-finalist[26]
Personal life
Voltaggio lives in Maryland with his wife Jennifer and their three children.[27]
