Joey Altman

Joey Altman is a San Francisco based Chef renowned for his work as a Television Host, Cookbook Author, Restaurant Consultant, Food & Wine Educator, and Public Speaker. Known for his dynamic approach to food and cooking, Altman now serves as the executive chef at San Francisco’s iconic Pier 23 Café, a seafood restaurant and bar located on the Embarcadero.

Altman's early career was enriched by classical training and an AAS degree in hotel restaurant management. After his graduation, he honed his skills in France, working in several Michelin-starred restaurants, followed by stints with prominent chefs such as Bob Kincaid at The Harvest in Cambridge, MA, Emeril Lagasse at Commander’s Palace, and Jeremiah Tower at Stars. He also had the unique opportunity to work for legendary rock concert promoter Bill Graham, preparing meals for celebrated musicians like Sting, Eric Clapton, and the Grateful Dead.

In 1989, Altman opened Miss Pearl’s Jam House, which quickly became a culinary hotspot in the Bay Area due to its vibrant and spicy cuisine. Following this, in 1998, Altman launched "Bay Cafe," a food-magazine television show that gained immense popularity and won three James Beard Foundation awards for Best Local Cooking Series in 2000, 2001, and 2006. His television career expanded with hosting roles in "Appetite for Adventure" and "Tasting Napa" on the Television Food Network. Additionally, Altman served as the executive chef and owner of "Wild Hare" from 1999 to 2003 and later opened an award-winning restaurant in Mumbai, India named the Table in 2011 alongside his chef cousin Alex Sanchez. In 2017, he was the Culinary Operations Director for the opening of China Live.

His cookbook "Without Reservations: How to Make Bold, Creative, Flavorful Food at Home," published in 2008 by Wiley & Sons, was inspired by his experiences and viewer requests from "Bay Cafe." Altman also contributes to the culinary world by serving as the Chef Spokesperson for Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines and playing guitar in the Backburner's Blues Band, a musical group consisting of Bay Area chefs. His cooking style is famed for being bold, colorful, and sophisticated yet whimsical, capturing the essence of his culinary philosophy.