Wikipedia | Biography
Matthew Kenney is a well-known American chef, entrepreneur, author, and culinary educator who has made a name for himself as a trailblazer in the world of plant-based cuisine. Throughout his impressive career, he has written 12 cookbooks, opened numerous vegan restaurants across the globe, and established Matthew Kenney Cuisine and Matthew Kenney Culinary—two companies focused on advancing plant-based dining through restaurants, culinary education, hospitality, and wellness initiatives.
Kenney first caught the public’s eye in 1993 when he launched his flagship restaurant, Matthew’s, in New York City. The restaurant quickly gained popularity, earning him the coveted Best New Chef award from Food & Wine magazine in 1994, which solidified his status as one of the rising stars in the culinary scene.
Riding on that wave of success, Kenney went on to create several noteworthy restaurants, such as Mezze, Monzu Canteen, Commune, and Commissary. However, he has mentioned that the economic fallout from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks had a significant impact on his restaurant business, leading to the closure of several of his establishments.
Despite the challenges, Kenney continued to grow his global plant-based restaurant empire in the years that followed. Yet, many of his ventures encountered financial struggles, and between 2021 and 2024, at least 17 restaurants linked to his brand shut their doors, highlighting the operational and economic hurdles faced by the hospitality industry. You May Also Like: Marcela Valladolid
Matthew Kenney Education
After completing his political science degree at the University of Maine, Kenney took a leap into the culinary world. He honed his skills in classical cooking techniques at the French Culinary Institute, which is now known as the International Culinary Center. Following his graduation in 1990, he jumped into the bustling kitchens of New York City.
Matthew Kenney Age and Birthday
So, how old is Matthew? As of 2026, he’s 61 years old. He was born on August 31, 1964, in Connecticut, and he celebrates his birthday every year on that date.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Matthew proudly holds American nationality, having been born in Connecticut. He comes from a diverse background, reflecting a mix of ethnicities and heritage.
Matthew Kenney Height
Curious about Matthew’s height? He stands at a solid 5 feet 11 inches tall.
Family
Matthew grew up in Connecticut and spent his formative years in Maine with his parents. However, details about his family, including his father, mother, and siblings, remain a bit of a mystery as they haven’t been publicly shared yet.
Matthew Kenney Wife
Is Matthew married? The details about his marital status are still being looked into. However, back in the early 2000s, he was in a relationship with Sarma Melngailis, his former girlfriend. They even started a business together, but ultimately, they went their separate ways.
Matthew Kenney Academy
Matthew Kenney made a significant mark in the world of plant-based culinary education when he opened his first culinary academy in Oklahoma City back in 2009. Just three years later, in 2012, the school was rebranded as the Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy and moved to the sunny shores of Santa Monica, California, coinciding with Kenney’s own relocation of his company’s headquarters to Los Angeles. In 2013, he took things a step further by launching a second campus in Belfast, Maine, expanding the academy’s influence even more. Then, in 2017, Kenney decided to pass the torch and sold the culinary academy to entrepreneur Adam Zucker.
Matthew Kenney Restaurants in NYC
New York City has been a significant backdrop in Matthew Kenney’s journey to culinary fame. His first big break came with the opening of Matthew’s, a restaurant that snagged him the Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef award back in 1994.
He then went on to co-found Pure Food and Wine, which became one of the most influential raw vegan spots in the city, paving the way for upscale plant-based dining in New York. His culinary adventures didn’t stop there; he also launched restaurants like Heirloom and The Counter, further solidifying his presence in Manhattan’s vibrant food scene.
While many of his New York establishments have since closed their doors, they continue to hold a special place in his rich culinary legacy.
Matthew Kenney Cuisine
Back in 2012, Matthew Kenney launched Matthew Kenney Cuisine, a lifestyle brand based in Los Angeles that focuses on plant-based hospitality, culinary education, media, consumer products, and consulting services. Fast forward to 2022, and the company has blossomed into one of the top names in plant-based hospitality, boasting over 50 restaurants and culinary concepts spread across more than 12 countries.
One of its standout projects was the opening of Plant City in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2019. This all-vegan food hall brought together a variety of plant-based dining options all under one roof. That same year, Kenney teamed up with Dr. Amir Marashi to launch Ntidote Life, a line of nutrition bars that emphasize healthy, plant-based ingredients.
However, the journey hasn’t been without its bumps. Matthew Kenney Cuisine has encountered some financial and legal hurdles along the way. In 2017, Kenney found himself in hot water over unpaid rent for Plant Food and Wine, his popular vegan restaurant in Miami. Later that year, he also faced debt and foreclosure issues related to a property in Belfast, Maine, which used to house his culinary academy.
Pure Food and Wine
In 2004, Matthew Kenney joined forces with restaurateur Sarma Melngailis and investor Jeffrey Chodorow to open Pure Food and Wine, a celebrated raw vegan restaurant in New York City that played a significant role in making upscale plant-based dining trendy.
Kenney left the restaurant in 2005, but his departure wasn’t without drama. The restaurant’s owner and manager subsequently filed a lawsuit against him, claiming he had violated the terms of his contract.
Matthew Kenney Restaurants in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has been the heart of Matthew Kenney’s culinary empire for quite some time. The city is home to several of his most celebrated restaurants, such as:
– Plant Food + Wine (Venice)
– Double Zero
– Make Out
– Sestina
– Ladurée Beverly Hills (a plant-based collaboration)
Additionally, Los Angeles is where Matthew Kenney Cuisine thrives, serving as the base for many of his talented chefs, culinary innovators, and hospitality teams.
Matthew Kenney Citi
A lot of folks are on the hunt for “Matthew Kenney Citi” when they’re trying to find restaurants that are part of Citi Dining, take advantage of Citi credit card deals, or are situated in big cities. However, there isn’t a restaurant officially called “Matthew Kenney Citi.” Instead, this search term usually refers to Kenney’s various dining concepts that pop up in places like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Dubai, London, and Sydney, where Citi cardholders sometimes enjoy special dining perks at participating spots.
Matthew Kenney Restaurants
Matthew Kenney has made quite a name for himself in the world of plant-based dining, crafting innovative restaurants that beautifully merge fine dining with sustainable practices. Over the years, he’s founded and collaborated on numerous vegan dining concepts across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Through his venture, Matthew Kenney Cuisine, he has introduced more than 50 restaurant concepts, though it’s worth noting that some locations have closed or shifted ownership along the way.
Here are a few of his standout restaurants:
– Plant Food + Wine – A renowned vegan spot that once thrived in Venice, California, and Miami.
– Double Zero – A plant-based pizzeria celebrated for its artisan vegan pizzas.
– Make Out – A laid-back vegan eatery in Los Angeles.
– Sestina – An Italian-inspired vegan restaurant known for its handmade plant-based pasta.
– Arata – A dining concept inspired by Japanese cuisine, all plant-based.
– Plant City – A spacious vegan food hall located in Providence, Rhode Island.
– Ladurée Beverly Hills – Collaborated with the iconic French brand to create a plant-based menu.
While Kenney’s restaurants have garnered acclaim for their creativity and culinary flair, it’s important to note that several locations have closed in recent years, reflecting the challenges and shifts within the restaurant industry.
Matthew Kenney Restaurants that are still Operating
Bar Verde (New York City)
Bar Verde is one of Matthew Kenney’s enduring restaurant concepts that’s still going strong since it opened its doors in 2017. Nestled within the Nordstrom flagship store in Manhattan, this spot offers a completely plant-based menu filled with seasonal dishes, vibrant salads, delicious pizzas, and expertly crafted cocktails. It stands out as one of the few original Matthew Kenney restaurants that continues to thrive.
Matthew Kenney Chef: Restaurants That Have Closed Down
Throughout his impressive career, celebrity chef Matthew Kenney has opened a multitude of innovative plant-based restaurants both in the U.S. and around the globe. His unique concepts have played a significant role in reshaping vegan fine dining, blending gourmet cuisine with a focus on sustainability and wellness. However, like many in the hospitality industry, Kenney has faced his share of restaurant closures, influenced by shifting market dynamics, financial hurdles, the COVID-19 pandemic, lease disagreements, and the need for business restructuring.
Here’s a rundown of some notable Matthew Kenney restaurants that have permanently closed their doors or stopped operations.
Early New York Restaurants
Matthew Kenney made a name for himself in the 1990s with a string of successful restaurants in New York City. While these spots received rave reviews, they are no longer in business.
– Matthew’s – New York City (1993–2001)
– Mezze – New York City (1995–2002)
– Monzu – SoHo, New York City (1997–1999)
– Cafe M – Stanhope Hotel, New York City
– Commune – New York City (1999–2003)
– Canteen – SoHo, New York City (1999–2001)
– Commissary – New York City (2001–2003)
– Pure Food and Wine – New York City (opened in 2004; Kenney left in 2005, and the restaurant eventually closed)
– Heirloom – Lower East Side, New York City
– XYST – New York City (2017–unknown)
– Sestina – New York City (2020–2022)
Free Foods and Juice Concepts
Kenney also explored the fast-casual dining scene and healthy beverages through his Free Foods and Blue/Green brands.
– Free Foods NYC – West 45th Street, New York City (2007–2014)
– Free Foods NYC – 52nd Street, New York City (closed in 2009)
– Blue/Green Juice Bars – Various locations across New York City and one in Darien, Connecticut
California Restaurant Closures
California has seen a variety of Matthew Kenney’s plant-based restaurants come and go. While some thrived for years, others have sadly closed their doors.
M.A.K.E. – Santa Monica (2012)
New Deli – Venice (2018–2021)
Double Zero – Venice (2019–2023)
Hungry Angelina – Long Beach (2020–2022)
Sestina – Culver City (2020–2023)
Plant Food + Wine – Venice (2015–2024)
Make Out – Culver City (2015–2024)
Oliver’s of Montecito – Montecito (2017–2024)
Baia – Hayes Valley, San Francisco (2020–2024)
Maine Restaurants
Kenney also launched several restaurant concepts in Belfast, Maine, where he once ran his culinary academy.
Arata – Belfast (2015–2016)
The Gothic – Belfast (2013–2016)
Other U.S. Restaurant Closures
In addition to the California locations, here are some other Matthew Kenney restaurants that have closed:
Tamazul – Oklahoma City (2012–2014)
The White Lotus – Miami, Florida (2014)
Cafe 118 – Winter Park, Florida
Liora – Baltimore, Maryland (2021–2023)
Double Zero – Baltimore, Maryland (2021–2023)
PlantPub – Boston, Massachusetts (2022–2023)
International Restaurant Closures
Kenney also took his culinary vision overseas, but not every venture was able to stick around.
Essence Cuisine Shoreditch – London, England (2017–2023)
Why Did So Many Matthew Kenney Restaurants Close?
The closure of several Matthew Kenney restaurants can be traced back to a mix of reasons rather than just one issue. Like many restaurant groups, his establishments faced challenges such as rising operating costs, shifts in consumer tastes, lease disputes, staffing shortages, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, some locations experienced changes in ownership or rebranding after parting ways with Matthew Kenney Cuisine.
Even with these closures, Matthew Kenney remains a key player in the world of plant-based gastronomy. His restaurants played a significant role in making upscale vegan dining popular globally, inspiring numerous chefs and restaurateurs to explore plant-based options. Through his new restaurant projects, consulting work, cookbooks, and culinary education, Kenney is still actively influencing the future of sustainable dining.
Matthew Kenney Latest
Matthew Kenney is still a key player in the plant-based culinary scene, engaging in restaurant consulting, culinary education, publishing cookbooks, and developing innovative products. While several restaurants under his brand faced closures between 2021 and 2024, he’s not slowing down; instead, he’s dedicated to expanding plant-based dining concepts and educational initiatives around the globe.
Right now, he’s focusing on forming international restaurant partnerships, offering online culinary courses through Matthew Kenney Culinary, driving innovation in plant-based products, and advising hospitality brands eager to incorporate vegan and sustainable menu options. Even with the recent hurdles in business, Kenney continues to inspire chefs and entrepreneurs who are passionate about the future of plant-based cuisine.
Matthew Kenney Net Worth
Matthew is a celebrated American chef, entrepreneur, author, and educator, boasting an impressive estimated net worth of $5 million.
