Alisha Elenz

The Climb

The shape of the career is defined by moving between responsibility and production. Alisha Elenz is executive chef of mfk restaurant, executive chef of Bar Biscay since 2019, and chef owner of Whisk The Night Away since 2020, a spread of roles that asks for menu oversight, consistency, and the ability to hold a restaurant's identity in place while still making room for change. At Bar Biscay and mfk restaurant, the work points to a chef who keeps technique in view without losing the dining room in the process. The throughline is editing as much as invention: knowing what to keep, what to adjust, and what should remain untouched.

Today

Since 2020, she has led Whisk The Night Away as Chef Owner. In that position, Alisha Elenz carries both sides of the operation: the cook's control over the plate and the owner's responsibility for the room. The title matters here because it matches the work described—hands-on leadership with hospitality built into the brief. Under her direction, Whisk The Night Away is shaped by warmth, precision, and an emphasis on leaving diners with something that stays with them.

Signature

Alisha's signature dishes include Gazpacho Verde. The dish fits a style grounded in clarity: direct flavor, clean presentation, and a preference for letting ingredients read plainly. Gazpacho Verde suggests a cook working with freshness and restraint, where color and structure do enough work without added noise.

In Their Words “My biggest goal is to learn their (Bar Biscay's) methods. I will change some of those recipes, but keep the classics that guests come for. Just as when I came to mfk, there were some dishes I couldn't touch.” “I've always been very passionate about food and creating menus to ultimately put a smile on people's faces.” Those remarks describe a practical approach to menu work: learn the house method first, then decide what can move and what has to stay fixed. Alisha Elenz treats the menu as something with structure, not a blank page. The second line keeps the aim simple—food that does its job for the guest, without losing the discipline required to get there.

Recognition

Alisha's honors include James Beard Award finalist for Rising Star Chef and Jean Banchet Rising Star Chef award. These recognitions place her work in view for peers who track skill, direction, and consistency, marking a chef whose profile has advanced through execution and a clear point of view.