Michelle Bernstein, Chef

Born and raised in Miami, Chef Michelle "Michy" Bernstein is a James Beard Foundation Award® winner in the "Best Chef: South" category. She's a chef known for her vibrant cuisine that blends Latin flavors with global influences. Drawing inspiration from her Jewish and Latinx heritage, as well as her travels around the world, Bernstein has become one of Miami's most influential culinary voices.

Alongside her husband and business partner, David Martinez, Bernstein oversees Michelle Bernstein Catering, creating elevated experiences ranging from intimate dinners to large-scale corporate events.

In 2019, the pair opened the acclaimed Cuban-inspired Café La Trova in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood with Maestro Cantinero Julio Cabrera. The concept earned national recognition from publications including GQ and Esquire, along with a spot on the "World's 50 Best Bars" list. Bernstein is also a partner in the renowned Miami Beach cocktail bar Sweet Liberty, where she developed a menu centered around creative takes on American classics.

Bernstein and Martinez later launched La Cañita, a restaurant inspired by the flavors of tropical destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America, with multiple Miami-area locations opening between 2021 and 2025. In late 2024, they revived the beloved Sra. Martinez concept in Coral Gables, reintroducing the award-winning restaurant with a menu inspired by Spain and the Mediterranean.

Beyond the kitchen, Bernstein is the host of two Emmy Award-winning television shows and regularly appears as a guest judge on programs including Top Chef and Chopped. She is also deeply involved in philanthropy, serving as Vice Chair of Common Threads, a nonprofit focused on improving community health through food and nutrition.