Tom Valenti Location: New York City A 1990 Food & Wine Best New Chef, Tom Valenti is the executive chef of the Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Morristown, New Jersey. Known for his mastery of French and Italian cuisines, Valenti's illustrious culinary career has spanned more than four decades. He is the author of three bestselling cookbooks Welcome to My Kitchen; Tom Valenti’s Soups, Stews, and One-Pot Meals; and You Don’t Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook. Experience Tom Valenti began working in kitchens at an early age, first taking a pastry job at l'Auberge du Cochon Rouge in his hometown of Ithaca after graduating from high school. He eventually landed a position working under legendary French chef Guy Savoy, who was so impressed by Valenti's talent that he sent him over to his signature restaurant in Paris to further his skills. There Valenti met Alfred Portale who hired him as sous chef at Gotham Bar & Grill. He went on to open his first restaurant, the critically acclaimed Alison on Dominick, followed by Cascabel, Butterfield 81, and his signature restaurant Ouest. He served as executive chef of the famed Le Cirque before opening another restaurant, Oxbow Tavern, on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Valenti has been nominated multiple times for James Beard Awards and has made numerous appearances on The Martha Stewart Show, NBC's Today Show, and The Early Show on CBS. 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.