CHRIS PONTE

EXECUTIVE CHEF & PARTNER

began his culinary career of Clearwater's Pepper Mill Restaurant in 1991 after graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Due to the kindness of one of its patrons, Chef Ponte studied culinary arts in Paris at the Cordon Bleu, France's iconic culinary institute. Ponte achieved his degree at the top of his class and, upon graduation, was hired as an apprentice at the famed Taillevent, also in Paris.