Michelin Star & James Beard Award-Winning Chef; Co-Founder, Alinea
Grant Achatz: Biography at a Glance
- Grant Achatz brings world-class prestige as a three-Michelin-star, James Beard Award-winning chef and one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, offering unparalleled authority on innovation and global excellence.
- As the co-founder of the restaurant Alinea, Grant provides actionable insights on redefining industry norms and elevating the guest experience through a modernist and emotional culinary philosophy.
- His powerful journey of resilience—overcoming Stage IV tongue cancer—is detailed in his New York Times bestselling memoir Life, On the Line.
- As a featured subject of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, in one of the series' most-watched episodes, Grant combines intellectual insight with compelling storytelling to distill complex creative concepts into impactful takeaways.
- By integrating science, art, and history into his award-winning ventures like Alinea, Next, and The Aviary, he offers unique perspectives for organizations aiming to drive groundbreaking innovation.
Biography
Chef Grant Achatz stands among the world’s most celebrated and influential chefs, renowned for his innovative, emotional, and modernist cuisine. Recognized as the Best Chef in the United States by the James Beard Foundation and honored by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, Grant has also shared his expertise at conferences and universities globally.
Grant’s culinary journey began early, working in his family’s diner in Michigan. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America at 21, he honed his skills at Charlie Trotter’s and later under chef Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, where he rose to sous chef. His time at La Jota Vineyards and a stage at elBulli in Spain further shaped his culinary philosophy. As the executive chef at Trio in Evanston, IL, his creativity flourished, earning him recognition from Food & Wine Magazine and the James Beard Foundation.
In 2004, Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas co-founded Alinea, redefining fine dining by challenging culinary norms and elevating the guest experience. Alinea has been acclaimed as the Best Restaurant in the World by Elite Traveler and the Best Restaurant in America by Gourmet Magazine, and was awarded three Michelin stars in the guide’s first year in Chicago, a distinction it went on to maintain for 14 years. Over its remarkable tenure, Alinea has earned numerous honors, including five stars from Forbes Travel Guide, multiple James Beard Awards, including Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Restaurant, and 13 appearances on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
In 2007, Grant Achatz was diagnosed with Stage IV tongue cancer and chose an experimental, organ-preserving treatment at the University of Chicago rather than the initially recommended radical surgery, ultimately making a full recovery. His experience is detailed in the New York Times bestselling memoir Life, On the Line, and portrayed in the documentaries Spinning Plates and Netflix’s Chef’s Table. His episode of Chef’s Table remains one of the series’ most-watched, underscoring the global impact of his story and his groundbreaking culinary approach.
Grant’s culinary ventures expanded with Next restaurant and The Aviary bar, both receiving critical acclaim and awards. Next earned the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, and proudly holds a Michelin star, reflecting its excellence and creativity in modern dining, while The Aviary was recognized by James Beard and World's 50 Best for its Outstanding Bar Program.
Grant lives in Chicago with his wife, Samantha, and two sons. Despite a demanding career, he finds joy in traveling and exploring new cultures, and in studying science, art, and history, continually drawing inspiration for his culinary innovations.
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FAQs
How do I book Grant Achatz for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Grant Achatz to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Grant Achatz's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Grant Achatz’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Grant Achatz in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Grant Achatz's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Grant Achatz's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Grant Achatz, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Grant Achatz's speaking fee?
Grant Achatz's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Grant Achatz's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Grant Achatz's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Grant Achatz as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Grant Achatz as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Grant Achatz's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Grant Achatz's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Grant Achatz for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Grant Achatz speaking engagements.
Official contact for Grant Achatz bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/grant-achatz
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Grant Achatz.
Is Grant Achatz available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Grant Achatz speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Grant Achatz's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Grant Achatz's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Grant Achatz's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Grant Achatz for?
Book Grant Achatz for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Grant Achatz customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Grant Achatz engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Grant Achatz can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Grant Achatz booking information and availability
Check Grant Achatz's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Grant Achatz for your preferred event date.
Book Grant Achatz keynote speaker through CAA
Book Grant Achatz through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Grant Achatz, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Grant Achatz's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Grant Achatz for your next event.
Will Grant Achatz speak at private events?
Yes, Grant Achatz speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Grant Achatz's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Grant Achatz?
CAA Speakers responds to Grant Achatz booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Grant Achatz?
Book Grant Achatz 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Grant Achatz pricing information?
Get Grant Achatz pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.
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