Awards

Awards Snapshot

  • James Beard Foundation – 3 Beard Awards                                                     (Great American Chef 1987-Best Chef Midwest 1993-Who’s Who of Cooking in America 1984)
  • Esquire Magazine “Best New Restaurants” – 5 Awards (Detroit 3X – Denver – Washington DC)
  • Nations Restaurant News “Fine Dining Hall of Fame”
  • Restaurant & Institutes “Ivy Award” – 2 Awards (Detroit – Denver)
  • Food & Wine Magazine “Honor Roll of American Chefs”
  • Gourmet Magazine “America’s Best Restaurants”
  • Travel Leisure “Best New Restaurants”
  • Bon Appetite “America’s Best New Restaurants”
  • Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence”
  • American Academy of Hospitality Science “Five Star Diamond Award”

Awards over time…

Boston – Chez La Mere Madeleine

  • Boston Magazine “Best Restaurant in Boston 5 stars” 1977
  • Best French Restaurant in America, Paul Bocuse 1978

Detroit – London Chop House

  • Food & Wine Magazine “Honor Roll of American Chefs” 1983
  • American Institute of Food & Wine Founding Dinner 1983
  • Cooks Magazine “Who’s Who of Cooking in America” 1984
  • New York Times “Racer to Chef” 1984
  • Restaurants & Institutions “Ivy Award” 1980
  • Esquire Magazine “Best New Restaurants of Year” 1983
  • City Meals-on-Wheels James Beard Tribute NYC 1984
  • American Wine & Food Festival Top Chefs LA 1984
  • Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence

Denver – Rattlesnake Club

  • James Beard Foundation “Great American Chef” 1987
  • JBF Awards Gala Reception Featured Chef 1988
  • JBF House Guest Chef 1987 & 1988
  • Metropolitan Home “The Newest American Cuisine” 1986
  • Esquire Magazine “Outstanding New Restaurants of Year” 1986
  • Cooks Magazine “Top New Restaurant” 1986
  • Independent Restaurants “Shining Star Award” 1986
  • Restaurants & Institutions “Top New Restaurant” 1986
  • Restaurants & Institutions “Ivy Award” 1987
  • Travel Leisure “Top Tables Best New Restaurants” 1987
  • Restaurants & Institutions “Top Ten Innovators & Trend Setters” 1987
  • Playboy Magazine “25 Best Restaurants in America” 1987
  • Food & Wine Magazine “Top Tables” 1988
  • Nations Restaurant News “Fine Dining Hall of Fame” 1989
  • LifeStyles of Rich & Famous “International Restaurant Category World #9/88 & #7/89”
  • Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence

Detroit – Rattlesnake Club & Sibling Restaurants

  • James Beard Foundation “Best Chef Midwest” 1993
  • JBF Awards Gala Reception Featured Chef 2003
  • JBF Celebrity Chef Dinner Series 2003
  • Esquire Magazine “Best New Restaurants of Year” 1988
  • Hourly Detroit “Restaurant of the Year” 1995
  • Gourmet Magazine “America’s Best Restaurants” 2000
  • Gourmet Magazine “Chefs Across America” 1994
  • Restaurant Hospitality Magazine “Best Under Sun Top Innovators” 1991
  • Playboy Magazine “Best Restaurant in Town” 1992
  • Restaurants & Institutions “Top Concept Creators” 1994
  • Style Magazine “Style Maker Award” 2005
  • American Academy of Achievement 1989
  • Detroit News “Humanitarian Hero Award” 1993
  • State of Michigan Governors “ Humanitarian Award” 1994
  • DIRONA Award
  • Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence
  • Esquire Magazine “Best New Restaurants of Year” 1992 Cocina del Sol
  • Bon Appetit “Hot New Restaurants” 1993 Buster’s Bay
  • Bon Appetit “Rising Stars Americas Best New Restaurants” 1994 Stelline

Washington D.C. – Adirondacks

  • Esquire Magazine “Best New Restaurants of Year” 1989
  • Washington Journal “Top 4 Stars” 1989
  • Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence

Palm Springs – Rattlesnake

  • American Academy of Hospitality Science “Five Star Diamond Award” 2002
  • Desert Sun “Best in Valley” 2002
  • JBF Awards Gala Reception Featured Chef 2003
  • JBF Celebrity Chef Dinner 2008
  • Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence

La Quinta – Morgan’s in the Desert

  • FSR “Alfresco Dining Awards” 2014
  • USA Today “Top Destinations in Southern California” 2015
  • Huffington Post “Innovator Farm to Fork” 2015
  • JBF Celebrity Chef Dinner Star Chef Festivals 2010-2015
  • JBF Awards Gala Reception Featured Chef 2012
  • Waldorf Astoria “Taste Awards” 2015
  • Guest Judge on “Top Chef” California Series
  • Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence

Chefs Collaborative “Pioneer Award” 2012

24 Hours of Le Mans Race Team Corvette 2000-2012,

  • 6 wins and 19 total podium trophies