Michael Rafidi Explained

Michael Lee Rafidi (c. 1985) is a Palestinian American chef and restauranteur.[1] [2] [3] Rafidi was named the 2024 the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Chef of the Year and also owns the Michelin star restaurant, Albi.[4] [5]

Career

Rafidi worked at Michael Mina’s restaurant RN74 in San Francisco, California.[6] [7] At RN74, Rafidi held the role of executive chef.

In 2017, Rafidi moved to Washington, D.C. and became the executive chef at Arroz, a Spanish restaurant owned by restauranteur Mike Isabella.[8] [9] [10] He also became the executive chef at another one of Mike Isabella's restaurants Requin, which was located on The Wharf but has since closed.

In March 2018, Rafidi stepped away from his positions at Arroz and Requin several days after a lawsuit made public sexual harassment allegations against Mike Isabella and several associates; however, Rafidi did not explicitly state the lawsuit was the reason for his departure. In that same month, The RAMMY Awards nominated Rafidi as a finalist for Rising Culinary Star of the Year.[11]

In February 2020, Rafidi opened Albi, located in Washington, D.C's Navy Yard.

In March 2022, Rafidi was named as a semifinalist in for the James Beard Awards in the "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)" category.[12] In June of that same year, Rafidi’s restaurant Albi earned a Michelin Star. Also in 2022, Rafidi opened Yellow in Georgetown, a sister restaurant to Albi that also focuses on Levantine-inspired cuisine.

In 2023, Rafidi was nominated as a finalist for the James Beard Awards in the "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)" category.[13]

In June 2024, Rafidi was named The James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Chef of the Year. He dedicated his win to “to Palestine and to all the Palestinian people out there, whether it's here or in Palestine or all over the world”.[14] [15] In July 2024, he opened a new and expanded 3,500-square-foot flagship and test kitchen forYellow located in Union Market.[16] In September of that same year, Rafidi opened a third restaurant, La' Shukran that is styled after a French bistro and located in Union Market on top of his Yellow location.[17] [18] [19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award Nominees James Beard Foundation . 2024-11-29 . www.jamesbeard.org . en.
  2. Web site: 3 August 2024 . Chef Michael Rafidi's innovative Middle Eastern cuisine has made him a star . npr.com.
  3. News: Carman . Tim . 12 June 2024 . D.C. chef Michael Rafidi’s Beard Award is a ‘huge moment for Palestinians’ . The Washington Post.
  4. Web site: 2024-06-13 . Michael Rafidi, Masako Morishita Get Top Honors at James Beard Awards The Georgetowner . 2024-11-29 . georgetowner.com . en-US.
  5. Web site: Maryam . Sayeedah . 2024-06-13 . Palestinian Chef Michael Rafidi Wins James Beard Culinary Award . 2024-11-29 . Vogue Arabia . en-GB.
  6. Web site: 2018-11-19 . Rising Stars Chef Michael Rafidi and Sommelier Brent Kroll Will Open a Restaurant and Wine Bar in Navy Yard - Washingtonian . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  7. Web site: Tuder . Stefanie . 2015-09-23 . Michael Lee Rafidi IN as RN74 Executive Chef With Baller New Menu . 2024-11-29 . Eater SF . en.
  8. Web site: 2017-08-30 . Arroz Chef Michael Rafidi Will Lead the Kitchen at Requin at the Wharf - Washingtonian . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2018-03-24 . Arroz and Requin Chef Splits With Mike Isabella - Washingtonian . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  10. News: Sietsema . Tom . 12 October 2017 . Arroz means rice — and so much more . The Washington Post.
  11. Web site: 2018-03-13 . Here Are the Finalists For the 2018 RAMMY Awards - Washingtonian . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  12. Web site: The 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalists James Beard Foundation . 2024-11-29 . www.jamesbeard.org . en.
  13. Web site: The 2023 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Nominees James Beard Foundation . 2024-11-29 . www.jamesbeard.org . en.
  14. Web site: 12 June 2024 . D.C. chef Michael Rafidi’s Beard Award is a ‘huge moment for Palestinians’ . The Washington Post.
  15. Web site: White . Gemma . Palestinian chef Michael Rafidi wins prestigious James Beard culinary award in Chicago . 2024-11-29 . The National . en.
  16. Web site: Chang . Lulu . 2024-07-10 . D.C.’s Acclaimed Levantine Cafe Yellow Unveils Its Largest Location Yet . 2024-11-29 . Eater DC . en.
  17. Web site: Spiegel . Anna . 2024-09-18 . Albi chef opens hotly anticipated La' Shukran at Union Market . 2024-11-29 . Axios . en.
  18. Web site: 2024-09-18 . La' Shukran Opens With a Middle Eastern Take on a French Bistro and Bar . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  19. Web site: Caplan . Evan . 2024-09-18 . Step Inside La’ Shukran, D.C.’s Funky New Levantine Hot Spot . 2024-11-29 . Eater DC . en.

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