Chef Carrino hails from Nutley, New Jersey and is a graduate of Culinary Institute of America. After graduating CIA, Michael traveled the coast to join kitchens in New City, NY, hotels in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virgina in which Chef Carrino helped to obtain and maintain four diamond status. Returning to New Jersey, he found new opportunities to expand his skills in creating new American Cuisine in the kitchens the North Maple Inn at Basking Ridge and Church and Dey restaurant in Manhattan's Millennium Hilton. The prestigious James Beard House has been host to Chef Carrino on three occasions where he had the opportunity to present his views of sustainable foods by offering his -Jerseys Finest- dinner featuring the wines of Arizona Stronghold vineyards and Caduceus Cellars. At the age 28, Michael was inducted into the exclusive organization of the Chaines Des Rotisseurs, a historical organization of restaurant owners, wine enthusiasts, hotel managers and food gurus. In Sept 2007 Chef Carrino was invited to assist the chefs of Colonial Williamsburg for the 400th anniversary celebration of Jamestown, cooking for the likes of former presidents George W. Bush, George Bush and Bill Clinton, and dignitaries such as Margret Thatcher and Tony Blair. Chef Carrino's cuisine has received rave reviews in The New York Times, The Star-Ledger, New York Post and Zagat dinning guide. He has been a repeat featured guest on NBC's "Today Show", CBS Morning Show, Good Day New York, LX New York, News 12 New Jersey and Martha Stewart Radio. In 2009, Chef Carrino flaunted his talent and was touted winner Food Network's new cooking competition Chopped. With the next generation being our future of the industry Chef Carrino gives back and supports the next up and coming class of cooks by serving on advisory committees for local High schools, Vocational High Schools, and Community Colleges. He is a registered mentor at the Culinary Institute of America and regularly mentors local high school students as interns who aspire to become chef professionals and head to culinary schools. Chef Carrino actively supports local charities including soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Chef regularly appears at the annual Cooking for Kids fund raiser for St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, and each Thanksgiving organizes a charity drive to raise money and contributions to donate 350 meals to the Salvation Army. Show less «