Brad Kilgore

Born and raised in Kansas City, Chef Brad Kilgore's culinary journey began in high school at the renowned Broadmoor Technical Center followed by his education at Johnson & Wales University. He gained valuable experience in Chicago at Michelin-rated restaurants Alinea and L2o before making waves as the executive sous chef at Epic, named one of the "Best New Restaurants of 2010."

Kilgore moved to Miami in 2011, where he worked at Azul at the Mandarin Oriental. Azul was awarded five stars by Forbes Travel Guide in 2013, the first restaurant in Florida’s history. His success continued at The St. Regis Bal Harbour as executive chef under Jean-Georges Vongerichten at J&G Grill. The Miami Herald awarded his team four stars, making it the only restaurant that year to achieve such status.

His success continued with the opening of his own restaurant Alter in 2015, a Wynwood restaurant celebrated for its progressive American menu. Alter received four stars from the Miami Herald, making Kilgore the only chef to receive the award twice. Alter was named “Restaurant of the Year” by Eater, featured in San Pellegrino’s “World’s 50 Best,” and nominated for “Best New Restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation. Kilgore was named “Best New Chef in America” by Food & Wine and nominated for multiple James Beard Foundation awards, including “Rising Star Chef of the Year” and “Best Chef South.”

Kilgore then proceeded to open BRAVA, Kaido, and Ember in Miami, showcasing his versatility in Italian, Japanese-inspired cocktails, and wood-fired American cuisine. In 2022, he returned to Wynwood, where he helped define the Miami food scene with the opening of MaryGold’s, for which the Miami New Times named him “Best Chef” in its “Best of Miami 2023” awards.