Adrian Forte
Adrian Forte | |
|---|---|
 Adrian Forte in Turks and Caicos | |
| Born | Adrian Paul Barrington Forte |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, author, restaurateur, television personality |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | Contemporary Caribbean cuisine |
| Website | adrianforte |
Adrian Forte is a Jamaican-Canadian celebrity chef and author based in Los Angeles, California.[1][2] He was a semi-finalist on Food Network Canada's Top Chef Canada,[3][4] a judge on Chef in Your Ear, and a contestant on Chopped Canada.[5] He was also featured on Netflix's Restaurants on The Edge as the culinary expert on Caribbean cuisine.[6][7]
Early life
[edit]Forte was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to New York City in 2003 to live with his grandmother, where he attended high school and played football. He was introduced to the culinary arts by his grandmother who was a former chef in their native country of Jamaica. After her untimely passing, he then moved to Ontario, Canada.[8]
Career
[edit]Forte studied culinary arts at George Brown College in Toronto.[8] Upon graduating, he pursued entrepreneurship and became the executive chef at Gangster Burger[9] and Rock Lobster,[10] one of the co-founders of Dirty Bird Chicken & Waffles[11] and founder of AF1 Caribbean.[12] He has also worked internationally as a private chef and culinary consultant.[13]
In August 2020, he appeared as a guest chef at Café Boulud at the Four Seasons Hotel, where he showcased signature dishes later included in his cookbook Yawd.[14][15]
From 2021 to 2024, Forte was based in Turks and Caicos, where he served as the in-house private chef and culinary director at Emara Estate—formerly owned by Prince—and provided culinary services for high-profile clientele.[16][17]
In early 2025, Forte was named executive chef of Lucia, the first fine dining modern Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Los Angeles. The restaurant received widespread media coverage for its contemporary culinary application of Caribbean traditions.[1][18][19][2]
Publications
[edit]- Yawd: Modern Afro-Caribbean Recipes. Penguin Random House Canada, 2022. ISBN 9780735241173.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Elliott, Farley (January 28, 2025). "A 'Top Chef' Star Will Open Los Angeles's First Fine Dining Caribbean Restaurant". Eater LA.
- ^ a b Rosenthal, Abby Montanez (January 17, 2025). "America's 27 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings in 2025". Robb Report.
- ^ Marsh, Calum. "How Afro-Caribbean chef Adrian Forte cooked himself up a role as one of Canada's top TV food personalities". National Post. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ "A top chat with Top Chef Adrian Forte". More Than Food Magazine. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ Ball, Daniel. "One day in Toronto: Top Chef Canada competitor Adrian Forte". Eat North. Eat North. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- ^ Mushayandebvu, Danai. "ADRIAN FORTE ON THE EDGE OF THE RESTAURANT REVELATION". Notable Life. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Adrian Forte On The Edge of the Restaurant Revelation". Notable Life. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ a b Cunningham, Noel. "Adrian Forte; It's not all about making money, it's all about Love!". Toronto Caribbean. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Gangster Burger - CLOSED - blogTO - Toronto". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ "Heating up your career with advice from chef Adrian Forte (video)". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ Henry, Michele. "Sourced: Kensington Market's The Dirty Bird celebrates one year of chicken and waffles". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ Manzocco, Natalia (2017-08-02). "Inside AF1 Caribbean Canteen on College". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ "Top Chef Canada Bio: Adrian Forte". Food Network.
- ^ Skinner, Ebeni. "Five-minutes with Adrian Forte". Canada's Best 100. Canada's Best 100. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Introducing Le Choix des Chefs at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, an Exclusive Dinner Event at Café Boulud with Guest Chef Adrian Forte". Four Seasons Press Room. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ "Chef Adrian Forte Is Making Waves From Turks and Caicos". View the Vibe. August 2023.
- ^ "6 Caribbean Chefs to Know". Travel + Leisure. October 1, 2022.
- ^ "First Look Inside Chef Adrian Forte's Anticipated Los Angeles Restaurant Lucia". View the Vibe. February 2025.
- ^ "The Best New Restaurant Openings of Spring 2025". Bon Appétit. March 2025.
- ^ "Adrian Forte Interview: Cooking With Culture". Elle Canada. October 2022.