Chef
Christopher Kostow
Executive Chef, The Restaurant at Meadowood
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- St. Helena, California, United States
Known for
- Three Michelin stars at The Restaurant at Meadowood (2011-2019)
- James Beard Best Chef: West (2013)
- Food & Wine Best New Chef (2009)
- Cookbook: A New Napa Cuisine (2014)
i. Biography
Napa Valley cooking, in Christopher Kostow’s work, is framed by procurement and restraint: “Find local, quality ingredients and let them shine.” The method is visible in dishes such as Bolinas goat poached in whey and rutabaga baked in salt and soil, where place is carried through ingredient choice and handling rather than ornament.
The Ascent
Professional formation in this kitchen line begins with Hamilton College, followed by service from 1999 as a cook at Georges at the Cove in La Jolla, CA. Technique broadened through work at Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier, France, before returning to San Francisco kitchens including Elizabeth Daniel and Campton Place Restaurant. Executive responsibility came at Chez TJ in Mountain View, CA, where Christopher Kostow served as Executive Chef until 2008. Since 2008, the work has been tied to The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley; since 2017, it has also extended through co-ownership of The Charter Oak Restaurant in St. Helena, CA.
Present Day
Current Napa Valley practice for Christopher Kostow includes the chef-owner role at The Restaurant at Meadowood, where the cooking is described through a personal approach tied to community and natural environment. He also operates Ciccio in Napa Valley, continuing the same emphasis on local ingredients and technique.
Signature
Signature dishes include rutabaga baked in salt and soil.
Distinctions
Michelin recognition marks the trade standing of this work: Three Michelin Stars in 2013, 2012, and 2011, and Two Michelin Stars in 2010 and 2009. The 2013 Best Chef: West award further situates Christopher Kostow’s cooking within the West Coast professional field.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Christopher
Where did Christopher Kostow train or study?
Christopher Kostow trained at Hamilton College.
What recognition has Christopher Kostow received?
Three Michelin Stars (2013).
