As a child Michael began his culinary adventure by carefully watching and mimicking the talents and antics of the chefs featured on PBS, like Julia Child, Jacques Pepin and Martin Yan – an initial inspiration for him in the kitchen. Even as a boy, Michael was captivated by the wonders of the kitchen and how it was presented by these shows.
In 1999, Michael was accepted to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA). While at the CIA, Michael attended eight hours of rigorous classes daily while managing to work during his down time to help pay the bills. Dedicated to success, Michael made his way to the top and graduated in the Spring of 2001 with a degree in Culinary Arts.
Not long after completing his degree at the CIA, Michael’s dedication and passion for his trade earned him a sous chef position with Benchmark Hospitality International, a management group for high-end resorts, hotels and conference centers. Michael diversified his skills over the next few years working at such restaurants as The Swan Terrace at The Founders Inn and Conference Center, Virginia Beach, The Glen at The Virginia Crossings Resort, Richmond VA and at Cuisine in The North Maple Inn, Basking Ridge, NJ. More recognizably, together with Benchmark, Michael helped two of these properties reach their Four Diamond status. Further expanding his repertoire, Michael became well-versed in the trends of New York City while working at the famed Millennium Hilton Hotel’s Church and Dey Restaurant.
In May of 2006, at the age of 27, Chef Michael Carrino’s dream became a reality when he opened his French-inspired restaurant in the heart of Montclair, NJ, aptly named Restaurant Passionné. Illustrating his life-long love and passion for his craft, the seasonally changing menu at Restaurant Passionné features high-quality and unique French-inspired dishes made with only the freshest ingredients. Michael has scoured the state to find local farmers and breeders to provide Restaurant Passionné with locally grown produce and locally raised meats whenever possible.
In November of 2006, Michael was inducted into the prestigious society of wine gurus, chefs, hotel executives and restaurant owners, known as The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – quite an honor at the age of only 28. In August 2007, Chef Carrino was invited to join chefs in Williamsburg, VA to aide with an event for the 400th anniversary of Jamestown and cook for some of the worlds most elite. Included among the prestigious guest list were former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, as well as former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher. Chef Carrino most recently had the honor of being invited to cook at the internationally renowned James Beard Foundation for a dinner on August 12, 2008, while simultaneously celebrating his 30th birthday.
A rising star in the culinary world, Chef Carrino’s Restaurant Passionné has received rave reviews in The New York Times, The Star-Ledger, New York Post AAA Dinning guide and Zagat’s. Chef has been a featured guest on NBC’s “Today Show” and winner of an episode of the Food Network’s new cooking competition “Chopped,” hosted by Ted Allen.
