Executive Chef Ethan Kostbar

Ethan Kostbar uses a Mediterranean, New American approach to showcase ingredients with simplicity and seasonality. Having grown up in Israel and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and Europe during his childhood, Kostbar gained an early appreciation for the food of those regions. Kostbar shows a passion for sourcing local ingredients and presenting them in a way that mirrors his life experiences.

Following his father’s guidance, Kostbar started his career working in the bread bakery, Loafin Around, in Washington, D.C. and completed his education at the Culinary Institute of America. Upon graduation, he returned to D.C. to work under Bob Kinkead at the landmark seafood restaurant, Kinkead’s.

Later, he returned to CIA to complete a yearlong seafood fellowship program. Through the program he met his mentor Howard Clark who guided him to New York City. There he worked three years at the Waldorf Astoria under Executive Chef John Doherty. Kostbar learned valuable lessons working in all venues of the hotel including its fine dining restaurant, Peacock Alley, under chef Laurant Gras.

His next venture was at Gramercy Tavern Restaurant where he fell in love with Chef Tom Colicchio’s approach of cooking seasonal New American Cuisine. He spent three years there cutting his teeth as a cook and sous chef. While living in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Kostbar met John Tucker, the owner of Rose Water restaurant and eventually came to work for him as his in his Executive Chef.

When Kostbar moved to Fairfield, CT, he joined forces with Chef Michel Nischan as Chef de Cuisine at Paul Newman’s Dressing Room Restaurant in Westport. Here he amplified his knowledge of seasonal, local, sustainable, organic food. Most recently, he was Executive Chef at Bin 100 in Milford, CT, owned by Elena Fusco, cooking up his passion for Mediterranean cuisine with his own personal flair.

The sum of Kostbar’s experiences is a philosophy that food—from farm to table—should be treated and prepared with respect, care, and integrity.