Quick Facts
Biography
Steven Meese (b. December 5, 1971, in Ioannina, Greece) is a Greek-American chef and TV personality best known as the creator, host and producer of the PBS series, “A Chef's Journey.”
Early life
Meese spent his early childhood in Greece until his family relocated to Daytona Beach, Fla., in the mid 1970s. His love of food was infused in him by his passionate Greek family. Though a love of cuisine was deeply rooted in his life, Meese did not dream of becoming a chef right away. His attention turned more to the field of soccer, playing in the U.S. Soccer League.Meese also had the opportunity to play in the English Premier League before his attention turned back to the kitchen.
Culinary events
In 1995, Meese was accepted at the Disney Culinary Academy. He apprenticed under three-star Michelin chefs and learned more about his craft under great chefs such as Darryl Mickler (as seen on “Discovery Channel’s Great Chefs of America,”), renowned German chef Raymond Pitts and Michael Laduke, who has been a judge on Food Network Challenge "Food Network Star" and Iron Chef America. He traveled around the country learning his technique. Meese has displayed his culinary talents at events such as James Beard Celebrity Chef dinners and others. Throughout his travels, Meese has worked alongside culinary greats such as James Beard winners John Currence and Mike Latta, Grand Chef Collin Bedford and James Beard semi-finalist Scott Crawford. Chef Meese has cooked alongside with the likes of Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse and some of the world's most respected chefs. Meese has worked in restaurant settings during his career. Meese has been the head and executive chef at several restaurants including Latitudes in the Key West Hilton, Bizarre in Lake Worth, Florida, and the Diamond Players Club in Orlando.
PBS
His PBS series A Chef's Journey aired on selective Midwest PBS stations from 2014-2016. In the series, Meese interviewed and cooked with some of the best chefs in the country including James Beard winner John Currence of City Grocery, Anthony Lamas of Seviche and Ryan McCaskey of Acadia.
Charity work
Meese also acts as an ambassador for many charities including: No Kid Hungry, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and Charity: Water.
Food lines, culinary writings, cookbooks
The chef has worked to spread his love of cooking beyond the kitchen, writing about his food in the column, “Best Dish Forward” and a blog on his website.
He currently is working on a cookbook on Mediterranean-style cuisine, entitled “My Mediterranean Kitchen.”