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Christopher Kostow
Chef at The Restaurant at Meadowood/ The Charter Oak/ Ensue
Christopher Kostow is a renowned chef and restaurateur based in Napa Valley, California. He is the executive chef at The Restaurant at Meadowood, which held three Michelin stars from 2011 to 2019.1 Kostow is also the co-owner of The Charter Oak restaurant in St. Helena and is involved with Ensue restaurant.34
Born in 1976 in Chicago, Kostow began his culinary career working at the Ravinia Music Festival during his teen years.1 After earning a philosophy degree from Hamilton College, he moved to San Diego in 1999 to work under Trey Foshee at Georges at the Cove.1 Kostow then honed his skills in France, working at various establishments including the Michelin-starred Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier.1
Returning to California, Kostow worked in San Francisco before becoming the executive chef at Chez TJ in Mountain View, where he earned two Michelin stars.1 In 2008, he joined The Restaurant at Meadowood, quickly earning two Michelin stars in 2009 and then three stars in 2011, making him one of the youngest chefs to receive this honor.13
Kostow's culinary style emphasizes simplicity, local ingredients, and showcasing the best of northern California cuisine.1 He has received numerous accolades, including the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef: West" in 2013.1 In 2017, Kostow opened The Charter Oak, a more casual restaurant focusing on family-style dining and seasonal ingredients.24
Christopher Kostow lives in Calistoga with his wife Martina and their two daughters.3 His LinkedIn username is christopher-kostow-455410199.5




