Meet Chef Eric


CHEF ERIC LEVINE
Chef / Partner · Cookbook Author · Television Personality

Chef Eric and Kitchen Staff

While most kids were playing with action figures, Eric LeVine was in the kitchen testing and tasting recipes. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Eric found excitement, challenge, and passion in his favorite place, the kitchen. That childhood love became his career and his purpose.

Chef Eric studied at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and soon after graduation went to work under celebrity chef David Burke at the River Café. He credits that experience with sparking his creative artistry with food.

Chef Eric believes food speaks a universal language, and that to become a truly accomplished chef, one must understand and respect the styles of other cultures. Working alongside some of the best chefs in the world, he learned how to finesse the romance of a dish, how to infuse passion and robust flavor into his cooking, and how to meld old-world technique with modern cuisine.

The industry took notice. Chef Eric became Chef de Cuisine at the famed Marriott Marquis in New York City, where he continued to weave international flavors into his cooking while introducing new techniques to his preparation and presentation. The James Beard Foundation — renowned for reestablishing the American way of cooking and championing fresh, indigenous ingredients — recognized Chef Eric for his contributions to the American culinary scene, inviting him to host dinners at the James Beard House in New York six times, making him the first internationally recognized catering chef given that honor.

The International Chef's Association went on to name Chef Eric both Creative Caterer of the Year and Chef of the Year, the only American chef to hold that distinction.

Alongside the industry recognition came significant media attention. Chef Eric has twice been honored with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, was named one of USA Today's Top Ten New Chefs, and saw his restaurant Pleiades earn a three-star rating from The New York Times. Food Arts Magazine named him one of its Top Ten Chefs, Jezebel Magazine featured him among its Top Twenty Chefs of Distinction, and Catering Magazine, Cater Source Magazine, and Chef Magazine have all recognized his creative small-plate cooking and trendsetting approach.

On television, Chef Eric has made numerous repeat network appearances, including Live with Kelly, Fox & Friends, NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox 5, and PIX11, as well as Roku's Sushi Master (2023). On Food Network, he became the 2011 Champion of Chopped ,the network's highest-rated show,and has since appeared on Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped Champions, and the Last Chef Standing segment of Alex vs America.

Chef Eric is also an author. His first cookbook, Stick It, Spoon It, Put It in a Glass, quickly became a culinary must-have for caterers, restaurateurs, and home cooks alike, as did his follow-up, Small Bites Big Flavors, Burgers | Bowls | Jars, Forkin Good, available now.

Today, Chef Eric is Chef/Partner at 317 Main Street, Vico, The James Room, The Nutty Irishman, Stage 317, and Paragon in New Jersey, where his cookbooks are also available. Beyond the kitchen, he is deeply committed to giving back, working closely with organizations including Family Reach, the American Cancer Society, Employment Horizons, and Autism Speaks.

Awards & Recognition

  • Restaurant Guild International, Chef of the Year ,2013 / 2015
  • Restaurant Guild International, Career Achievement Award, 2017
  • Visionary Leadership Award, Housing Partnership, 2016 (for impact and leadership in the local and national community)
  • Inspiration Award, Cook for Your Life, 2017
  • Restaurant Guild International, "Who's Who in America Food & Beverage", 2018
  • Best Restaurants on Long Island, Newsday, 2020
  • Innovation Award, Restaurant Guild International, 2021
  • Best Chef Long Island, Best of Long Island, 2023
  • Best Chef Long Island, Best of Long Island, 2024
  • Best American Restaurant Long Island, Best of LI 2024, 2025
  • Forkin' Good (cookbook), Fall 2024

Selected Press & Media

  • Wine Spectator Magazine, Award of Excellence (twice)
  • USA Today, Top Ten New Chefs
  • The New York Times, three-star rating for Pleiades
  • Food Arts Magazine, Top Ten Chefs
  • Jezebel Magazine ,Top Twenty Chefs of Distinction
  • Catering Magazine, Cater Source Magazine, and Chef Magazine, recognized for creative small-plate cooking and trendsetting approach
  • Food Network,2011 Chopped Champion; Beat Bobby Flay; Chopped Champions; Alex vs America (Last Chef Standing), Flavor Town (coming)
  • Sushi Master, Roku
  • Live with Kelly, Fox & Friends, NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox 5, PIX11, and Roku's Sushi Master (2023)