Nicknamed the “Godfather of American Cooking,” Larry Forgione was one of the first chefs to embrace and communicate the virtues of our national cuisine. His influence on the American dining scene has been so far-reaching that, in June 1996, Life magazine identified him as the only person from the restaurant industry on their list of the “50 Most Influential Baby Boomers.”
Throughout Forgione’s long career, he has received numerous accolades and awards. He was recognized by two most revered institutions in the industry. The Culinary Institute of America named him “Chef of the Year” and the James Beard Foundation honored him as America’s Best Chef in 1993.
After a long and storied career at his An American Place restaurant, Forgione co-founded the Conservatory for American Food Studies at CIA at Greystone in Napa, CA, in 2011. He later served as the culinary director for the Foley Family Wineries.
Now semi-retired, he helps his son, Marc, with his restaurants and occasionally consults with new restaurants’ projects.
He has been married to his wife, Julie, for 50 years. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Chef Larry Forgione majored in Culinary Arts at CIA in Hyde Park, NY. He is a member of the inaugural class of CIA’s Alumni Hall of Fame.