Scott Conant

Scott Conant has a career spanning over 35 years, during which he has established himself as a leading chef and restaurateur in the United States. He has developed a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants and has garnered a loyal fanbase. In addition to his ventures in the restaurant industry, Conant has made significant contributions to television, having been a long-term judge on the reality cooking television series "Chopped" since 2009, and a host on "24 Hour Restaurant Battle" in 2010. He has also made guest appearances on various television shows including "Top Chef," "Beat Bobby Flay," "Chopped Sweets," and "The Today Show," among others.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Conant began his career in his twenties, leading kitchens at notable Italian venues such as il Toscanaccio, San Domenico, Chianti, and City Eatery. His breakthrough came in 2002 when he opened L'Impero, which not only received a three-star review from The New York Times but was also named “Best New Restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation. This recognition led to Conant being named "Best New Chef" by Food & Wine magazine in 2004.

Following the success of L'Impero, Conant opened Alto, an upscale Italian restaurant in midtown Manhattan. He later established his own brand of savory Italian cooking with Scarpetta in 2008, which has since expanded to several locations across North America, including Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, and Toronto. Other restaurant ventures include "Cellaio Steak" at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, New York in 2018, "The Americano" at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta in Georgia in 2022, and additional establishments like Mora Italian and D.O.C.G. Enoteca at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.

In addition to his restaurant endeavors, Conant has authored four cookbooks, the latest being "Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef's Home Kitchen" released in 2021. His other works include "New Italian Cooking," "Bold Italian," and "The Scarpetta Cookbook." Each publication reflects Conant's philosophy of cooking with honesty, integrity, and soul, which he also shares through interactive cooking demonstrations.

Conant's influence extends beyond his restaurants and cookbooks. He has been instrumental in raising awareness about Alzheimer’s, winning Season 3 of "Chopped All-Stars" with a $50,000 grand prize that he donated to Keep Memory Alive. As Conant continues to explore new opportunities, his enduring philosophy remains to savor the pure pleasure of food, embracing every flavor and experience.