Dena Marino
Family Chef
Conexión con Miami
Dena Marino elevated Miami's Design District culinary scene by opening MC Kitchen in 2012, which became a hotspot for Miami Heat players and received praise from Esquire as one of America's best new restaurants. Her restaurant's success highlighted South Florida's farm-to-table Italian cuisine, drawing national media and boosting local dining prestige. She continues influencing the community through high-profile private chef work and charity wins like No Kid Hungry.
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Dena Marino, a Culinary Institute of America graduate from Elizabeth, New Jersey, began her career at Caesar’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City before training under Michael Chiarello at Tra Vigne in Napa Valley. She rose to prominence as Executive Chef at D19, Ajax Tavern, and Ellina in Aspen, Colorado, over 13 years. Relocating to Miami to source fresher ingredients, she opened MC Kitchen and Mercato in the Design District in November 2012, earning national acclaim including Esquire's Best New Restaurants and features in Food & Wine and Bon Appetit. Her Miami Heat fandom led to post-game visits from the team, evolving into her role as family chef for LeBron James. She has appeared on Food Network shows like Iron Chef America and won the 2015 Miami Iron Fork Competition for No Kid Hungry.