Matthew Kenney is an American celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and educator specializing in plant-based cuisine. He is the author of 12 cookbooks, founder of dozens of vegan restaurants, and founder of the companies Matthew Kenney Cuisine and Matthew Kenney Culinary, a plant-based diet education business.

Early life and education Kenney was born in the U.S. state of Connecticut, and grew up in Searsport, Maine."Uncooked", Observer, September 12, 2016 After graduating from the University of Maine with a degree in political science, he became a chef."Plant-based Chef and Founder", Matthew Kenney Cuisine He attended the French Culinary Institute, now the International Culinary Center, learning classical culinary techniques. Upon graduating in 1990, he worked at various kitchens in New York City.

Career Kenney opened his namesake restaurant Matthew's in 1993 in New York City. He became Food & Wine magazine's "1994 Best New Chef".M Elizabeth Sheldon, Matthew Kenney Academy, "Best Cooking Classes Around The World", Food and Wine, Readers Choice Issue, January 2014 He opened the restaurants Mezze, MonzuRuth Reichl, "Diner's Journal", NY Times, May 30, 1997 Canteen, Commune, and Commissary. Kenney has said the economic slump caused by the September 11 attacks caused his restaurants to close. Between 2021 and 2024, at least 17 of Kenney's restaurants closed.

Pure Food and Wine Kenney, partner Sarma Melngailis and investor Jeffrey Chodorow in 2004 opened a vegan restaurant, Pure Food and Wine, in New York City.

Kenney left Pure Food and Wine in 2005, and the owner and manager sued him, alleging he broke his contract.

Culinary academy In 2009, Kenney opened his first culinary academy in Oklahoma City. In 2012, he moved the renamed Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy to Santa Monica, California, and relocated his company to Los Angeles. In 2013, he established a campus of the academy in Belfast, Maine. In 2017, he sold the academy to Adam Zucker.

Matthew Kenney Cuisine In 2012 Kenney formed Matthew Kenney Cuisine, a Los Angeles-based restaurant lifestyle company offering a variety of plant-based services and products, including hospitality, education, media, products and services. As of 2022, Matthew Kenney Cuisine operates more than 50 active restaurants, in more than 12 countries.

In 2017, he was sued for unpaid rent at the popular Plant Food and Wine in Miami. In December 2017, he faced debt and foreclosure proceedings in Belfast, Maine, on a building that housed his former culinary academy.

In 2019, Matthew Kenney Cuisine opened an all-vegan food hall Plant City in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2019, he launched Ntidote Life nutrition bars with Dr. Amir Marashi.

Legal issues In 2022, the contents of Kenney's restaurant Sestina were auctioned off by the state of New York for unpaid taxes and the Double Zero in Boston was closed by sheriff deputies because of unpaid rent. His restaurant Plant Pub Fenway was evicted for unpaid rent, also in 2022.

As of 2024, multiple lawsuits that allege fraud, illegal labor practices, harassment, or failing to pay creditors, landlords, and employees, have been filed against Kenney and his companies in at least nine states.

Restaurants

Closed

Matthew's, New York City (1993–2001) Mezze, New York City (1995–2002) Monzu, SoHo, New York City (1997–1999) Cafe M, Stanhope Hotel, New York City (1998–) Commune, New York City (1999–2003) Canteen, SoHo, New York City (1999–2001) Commissary, New York City (2001–2003) Pure Food and Wine, New York City (2003) Free Foods NYC, W. 45th Street, New York City (2007–2014) Free Foods NYC, 52nd Street, New York City (?–2009) Arata, Belfast, Maine (2015–2016) Tamazul, Oklahoma City (2012–2014) The Gothic, Belfast, Maine (2013–2016) M.A.K.E., Santa Monica, California (2012) The White Lotus, Miami, Florida (2014) New Deli, Venice, California (2018–2021) Althea, Chicago, Illinois (2018–unknown) Heirloom, Lower East Side, New York Cafe 118, Winter Park, Florida XYST, New York City, (2017–unknown) Blue/Green juice bars, various locations in New York City and one in Darien, Connecticut Sestina, New York City, (2020–2022) Liora, Baltimore, Maryland (2021–2023) Double Zero, Baltimore, Maryland (2021–2023) Double Zero, Venice, California (2019–2023) Hungry Angelina, Long Beach, California (2020–2022) Plantpub, Boston, MA(2022–2023) Essence Cuisine Shoreditch, London (2017–2023) Sestina, Culver City, California (2020–2023) Plant Food and Wine, Venice, California, (2015–2024) Make Out, Culver City, California (2015–2024) Oliver's of Montecito, Montecito (2017–2024) Baia, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, California (2020–2024) Bar Verde/Double Zero, New York City, (2017–2026)

Awards 1994: Food & Wine, Best New Chef,

Published works

References