Matthew Kenney is an American celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and educator specializing in Plant-based diet cuisine. He is the author of 12 cookbooks, founder of dozens of vegan restaurants, and founder of the companies Matthew Kenney Cuisine and Matthew Kenney Culinary, a plant-based diet education business.
Early life and education
Kenney was born in the U.S. state of
Connecticut, and grew up in Searsport, Maine.
[ "Uncooked", Observer, September 12, 2016] After graduating from the University of Maine with a degree in political science, he became a chef.
[ "Plant-based Chef and Founder", Matthew Kenney Cuisine] He attended the French Culinary Institute, now the International Culinary Center, learning classical culinary techniques.
Upon graduating in 1990, he worked at various kitchens in New York City.
Career
Kenney opened his namesake restaurant Matthew's in 1993 in New York City. He became
Food & Wine magazine's "1994 Best New Chef".
[M Elizabeth Sheldon, Matthew Kenney Academy, "Best Cooking Classes Around The World", Food and Wine, Readers Choice Issue, January 2014] He opened the restaurants Mezze, Monzu
[Ruth Reichl, "Diner's Journal", NY Times, May 30, 1997] Canteen, Commune, and Commissary. Kenney has said the economic slump caused by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks caused his restaurants to close.
Between 2021 and 2024, at least 17 of Kenney's restaurants closed.
Pure Food and Wine
Kenney, partner
Sarma Melngailis and investor
Jeffrey Chodorow in 2004 opened a
vegan restaurant, Pure Food and Wine, in New York City.
Kenney left Pure Food and Wine in 2005, and the owner and manager sued him, alleging he broke his contract.
Culinary academy
In 2009, Kenney opened his first culinary academy in
Oklahoma City.
In 2012, he moved the renamed Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy to Santa Monica, California, and relocated his company to
Los Angeles.
In 2013, he established a campus of the Academy in Belfast, Maine.
In 2017, he sold the Academy to Adam Zucker.
Matthew Kenney Cuisine
In 2012 Kenney formed Matthew Kenney Cuisine, a Los Angeles-based restaurant lifestyle company offering a variety of plant-based services and products, including hospitality, education, media, products and services.
As of 2022, Matthew Kenney Cuisine operates more than 50 active restaurants, in more than 12 countries.
In 2017, he was sued for unpaid rent at the popular Plant Food and Wine in Miami.
In 2019, Matthew Kenney Cuisine opened an all-vegan food hall Plant City in Providence, Rhode Island.
Legal issues
In 2022, the contents of Kenney's restaurant Sestina were auctioned off by the state of New York for unpaid taxes and the Double Zero in Boston was closed by sheriff deputies because of unpaid rent. His restaurant Plant Pub Fenway was evicted for unpaid rent, also in 2022.
As of 2024, multiple lawsuits that allege fraud, illegal labor practices, harassment, or failing to pay creditors, landlords, and employees, have been filed against Kenney and his companies in at least nine states.
Restaurants
Active
Closed
Awards
-
1994: Food & Wine, Best New Chef,
Published works
