Chef
Christopher Keyser
- Discipline
- Chef
i. Biography
Christopher Keyser is executive chef at Union Restaurant in Pasadena. The cooking there sits in a Northern Italian register, with fresh pasta and rustic Italian preparations as the working center. His background runs through the Vetri team at Osteria in Philadelphia, The Vetri Group at its Palo Alto location, and kitchen leadership at AR Cucina in Culver City.
Coming Up
The Vetri orbit in Philadelphia provided a working progression through multiple formats: Christopher Keyser worked as a Vetri team member at Alla Spina in Philadelphia, Osteria in Philadelphia, and Amis in Philadelphia, then joined the opening team at Lo Spiedo in Philadelphia. That line continued west through service as a Vetri Group team member at The Vetri Group Palo Alto location in Palo Alto, California, before a move into management as head of kitchen at AR Cucina in Culver City, Los Angeles, California. Italian training in Bergamo added direct kitchen exposure in place: Keyser staged at Frosio in Bergamo, Italy, and Cucina Cereda in Bergamo, Italy. The current post is executive chef of Union Pasadena, a role held since 2019.
Where They Are Now
Rustic Northern Italian cuisine, rustic Italian cooking, and fresh pasta define the work at Union Restaurant in Pasadena, United States, where Keyser serves as Executive Chef.
Career - Executive chef — Union Pasadena, California (2019–present) - Vetri team member — Alla Spina, Philadelphia - Vetri team member — Osteria, Philadelphia - Vetri team member — Amis, Philadelphia - Opening team member — Lo Spiedo, Philadelphia - Vetri Group team member — The Vetri Group Palo Alto location, Palo Alto, California - Head of kitchen — AR Cucina, Culver City, Los Angeles, California - Stage — Frosio, Bergamo, Italy - Stage — Cucina Cereda, Bergamo, Italy
Signature
The signature set attributed to Christopher Keyser stays close to produce, dairy, grain, and mushroom work: burrata, peach panzanella, Tamai strawberry salad, and wild mushrooms atop Grist & Toll polenta.
FAQ What is Christopher Keyser's current role? Christopher Keyser is Executive Chef. Where did Christopher Keyser work before? Earlier in their career, Christopher Keyser worked at Alla Spina, Osteria, and Amis. What recognition has Christopher Keyser received? Michelin Bib Gourmand, two-time recipient for Union.
