Ouita Michel is an eight-time James Beard Foundation Award nominee, including nominations for Outstanding Restaurateur and Best Chef Southeast.
Ouita and her restaurants are regularly featured in local and national media, such as the New York Times, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Food Network, and the Cooking Channel. She was a guest judge on Bravo's Top Chef series.
She lives in Midway, Kentucky, where she oversees her latest venture, Holly Hill, a lifestyle brand that celebrates farmers and agriculture, culinary traditions old and new, chefs and local talent—and the bonds that unite them in cultivating a true sense of community. This includes her most recent venture, the Holly Hill Cooking Studio. She’s also the host of the video series, Up Home with Ouita Michel, and was recently appointed to the U.S. State Department American Culinary Corps, where she’ll serve our country as a Culinary Ambassador.
This episode is about the importance of food and hospitality and how it brings people together. Ouita teaches us that food is more than just sustenance; it's a way to connect with others and learn about different cultures. It’s a great connector.
Ouita’s quotes: "This too shall pass" and "Food is love"
To learn more about Ouita Michel, her restaurants, and the work she does for community, click here.
