Chef Matt Varga hails from Connecticut, where he grew up crabbing, fishing, and soaking in the aromas of his family’s busy kitchen. His culinary training started in high school, with his first formal classes. After that he was hooked. He began working in restaurants at 16, before attending Johnson & Wales University, where he received his associate degree in culinary arts in 2003, and his bachelor’s degree in food service management in 2005.
Varga began working at Gracie’s in 2007 and was promoted to Executive Chef in 2010. Since then, Gracie’s has won the AAA four-diamond award five years straight and received three Diner’s Choice awards from Open Table. Chef Varga has been featured in Art Culinaire and as a guest chef for the Democratic Governors Association Taste of America gala.
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This week he returns to the Nightclub & Bar Show as one of our nine Food & Beverage Innovation Center Chefs, working alongside his friends Chef Brian Duffy, Chef Kevin Des Chenes, Chef Monti Carlo, Chef Pete “Panini Pete” Blohme, Chef Kayla Robison, Chef Jennifer Behm-Lazzarni, Chef Chad Rosenthal, and Chef Russ Zito.
What’s your favorite part about FBIC?
Spending time connecting with like-minded chefs. Learning, growing and building relationships.
If the other chefs had to describe you in three words, what would they be?
Straightforward, Easygoing, Adaptable.
What’s your “role” in the group?
The wild card.
Do you guys have any secret competitions going on against each other back there?
Who can fit the most ingredients between two pieces of bread!
What’s your favorite (PG) FBIC memory?
Hanging out eating hot pot with all the chefs at the Chubby Cattle. Great times!
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What’s one thing you want people to learn when they visit the FBIC?
How important it is to stay current on emerging trends and brands. And how easy it can be to incorporate them into you own repertoire.
What are you most looking forward to at Nightclub & Bar Show this year?
Working with and learning about new and innovative cooking equipment. Meeting new people and having a great time!
You can find Chef Matt Varga at the Food & Beverage Innovation Tuesday June 29 – Wednesday June 30 during Nightclub & Bar Show 2021. Catch his live cooking demonstration on Tuesday from 3:30pm – 4:15pm.
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