MICHAEL GILETTO
Chef Michael C. Giletto, Executive Chef for Cherry Valley Country Club and Gourmet Butterfly Media in NYC, developed his love of culinary arts as a young child during his time spent harvesting fresh ingredients from the land his family farmed and watching these ingredients be transformed into family feasts. From this early interest in the kitchen, Giletto has successfully expanded his culinary calling to encompass numerous awards and nominations, national television and radio media appearances, and a flourishing career as Executive Chef at one of the top rated Country Clubs in the Tri-state area.
Giletto's culinary creations are inspired by French, Sicilian, American, and other various ethnic and world cultures. His Sicilian heritage allows him to add the flair and wide range of bold flavors found in Mediterranean cooking to other cuisines. "The style of my food reflects exquisite, sophisticated, contemporary, American cuisine with Mediterranean influences," says Chef Giletto. "I focus on locally-grown products, seasonal ingredients, impeccable presentation, and cutting-edge menu choices to create a truly memorable dining experience." A key element of Chef Giletto's philosophy is that food should be as fresh and as local as possible. He has a carefully cultivated network of area growers/suppliers who enable Giletto to practice what he believes is best for procuring and serving food.
His ability to effortlessly assemble an exceptional dining experience has allowed Chef Giletto to excel in his career. Mere months after graduating from the JNA Institute of the Culinary Arts in Philadelphia, he was awarded the "Chef of the Year Award" from the American Culinary Foundation (ACF) in 2002. Soon after, Chef Giletto became the Executive Chef for the Peacock Inn's Le Plumet Royale and the four-star restaurant was awarded the distinguished James Beard Award for the "great Country Inn Chef's Series" in 2003. In 2006, Giletto's laudable Chef of the Year nomination from Chef Magazine was followed by national recognition of being appointed the Celebrated Chef for the National Pork Board. Giletto was also named Winning Chef for the National Cattleman's Beef Backer Award in February of 2008 in Reno, Nevada.
From these commendable beginnings, Giletto has become an inspiring and accomplished chef, making numerous appearances on both network and local television. After working as the lead Food Stylist for the Book and the Cook Fair in 2005, Giletto's talents were recognized by Food Network's Cat Cora. Since then, Giletto has received cooking spots on "Iron Chef America," appearing as one of Cat Cora's competition Sous-chefs. Most recently, Giletto has appeared on the Food Network's Culinary Competitions, "Chopped" and "Ultimate Recipe Showdown." He also competed on The Tyra Banks Show and won the title of "Top Pop Chef" which awarded him the opportunity to work with Patti LaBelle as her personal chef. Giletto also appeared in the documentary film "Pressure Cooker" which followed the trials and tribulations of a handful of culinary students as they work build their culinary careers in the Tri-state area.
Currently, Chef Giletto can be found in Skillman, NJ at Cherry Valley Country Club where he has been the Executive Chef for three years and Executive chef of Gourmet Butterfly Media for 5 years . Giletto has played an integral role in Cherry Valley's culinary rejuvenation, dramatically changing the Club's cuisine from basic continental fare to a menu with a more upscale worldly flair. Though his management responsibilities at Cherry Valley take up much of Giletto's time, he regularly visits the JNA Institute of Culinary Arts in Philadelphia to teach classes and offer cooking demonstrations as adjunct faculty. Chef Giletto also plans to continue making network television appearances and will be appearing for a re-match on Food Network's competition "Chopped" which aired on January 12, 2010. Chef Giletto can be seen on Food Network's Chopped and Chopped Redemption 2009, Ultimate recipe showdown 2008, Iron Chef America with Cat Cora season 2009, 24 hour restaurant battle 2010, The Restaurant 2010, Restaurant Impossible 2010, the Next Food Network star Finale 2010, Tyra Banks show for Top pop Chef 2009, Millionaire Matchmaker with Bravo 2010, Cook Book on Demand Series with Comcast 2007, Flavors of America with PBS 2005, Culinary Bragging Rights with PBS 2010 and three major motion pictures~ Birdy with Nicholas Cage 1984, Just Right with Queen Latifah 2010 and Pressure Cooker 2009.
