Gavin Kaysen

Gavin Kaysen
Chef Kaysen in July 2022
Born
Thousand Oaks, California
EducationNew England Culinary Institute
Culinary career
Cooking styleFrench, Mediterranean, Contemporary American
Current restaurant(s)
  • Spoon and Stable, Bellecour Bakery, Demi, Socca, Mara
Television show(s)
Awards won

Gavin Kaysen (born in Thousand Oaks, California) is the executive chef and owner of Spoon and Stable, Bellecour Bakery, Demi, Socca, and Mara, all in Minneapolis.[1][2] He is a two time recipient of a James Beard Award,[3][4] including Best Chef: Midwest in 2018.[5] Previous to his move to Minneapolis, he served as Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Operations for Daniel Boulud in New York City, overseeing Café Boulud in Palm Beach, Toronto and New York City.[6]

He previously headed the kitchen at El Bizcocho in San Diego. In 2007, he represented the U.S.A. at the Bocuse d'Or.[7] He was a competitor on The Next Iron Chef, eliminated during the third challenge, "Resourcefulness".

Career

A graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, Kaysen was inspired to become a chef while working at a Subway in Bloomington, Minnesota.[8]

In 2007, Kaysen was named one of the top 10 ‘Best New Chefs’ by Food & Wine.[8] Before becoming executive chef at Cafe Boulud, he worked at Domaine Chandon in Yountville, California, under Robert Curry, at Auberge de Lavaux in Lausanne, Switzerland, and under Marco Pierre White at L'Escargot in London, England.

Chef Kaysen was eliminated during the third episode of The Next Iron Chef for under-seasoning and under-salting his food, according to the judges. After the elimination, he explained to judge Michael Ruhlman that the problem was that the food had been stored improperly by the tech crew of the show, and had become submerged in an ice water bath, leeching out the salt and seasonings. Ruhlman has stated that had he known of the technical glitch, he would likely have judged differently.[9]

In 2008, Chef Kaysen won a James Beard Foundation Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year.[10][3]

Kaysen opened his first restaurant, Spoon and Stable, in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis in November 2014.[12][13] It was named a 2015 Restaurant of the Year by Food & Wine, a Best New Restaurant by Bon Appétit, and was a 2015 James Beard Award Finalist for Best New Restaurant.[13]

In March of 2017, he opened Bellecour in Wayzata, Minnesota.[14] The restaurant was named for a historic square in Lyon, France, the birthplace of two of his mentors: Daniel Boulud and Paul Bocuse.[15] In 2018, the James Beard Awards named him Best Chef: Midwest.[5] Kaysen closed Bellecour in 2020, citing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] In November 2025, its bakery component relocated to open in Cooks of Crocus Hill store in Edina, Minnesota. A month later, another Bellecour location opened in North Loop.[17]

Kaysen collaborated with chef Andrew Zimmern in 2017 to form KZ ProVisioning, originally conceived as a collaboration between the NHL's Minnesota Wild[18] and later expanded to include partnerships with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx.[19] Through this program, meals are prepared for professional athletes in accordance with players' physiological needs.

Kaysen opened his third restaurant, the 20-seat tasting menu venue Demi, in 2019.[20] It was a James Beard Award Finalist for Best New Restaurant in 2020.[21]

A virtual cooking class series called GK at Home was created during the winter of 2020, a pivot while his restaurants were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] It continues to this day.

His fourth restaurant, Mara, serves Mediterranean cuisine and opened in the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis alongside Socca, a casual café.[23]

Keysen expanded his culinary footprint at the end of 2025 with the opening of the Merchant Room at the Four Seasons Hotel in Naples, Florida.[4][24][17]

Keysen manages all his restaurants through Soigné Hospitality, the restaurant company he opened in 2016.[25]

Television appearances

Books

Kaysen self-published At Home in 2022, a book of 112 recipes based on his online cooking classes.[27]

References

  1. ^ "Gavin Kaysen". Soigné Hospitality. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  2. ^ Fleming, Jess (2 June 2022). "Mara, Gavin Kaysen's new Mediterranean restaurant, open now in downtown Minneapolis". TwinCities.com Pioneer Press. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b Harder, Macy (2025-09-12). "Gavin Kaysen, Behind the Apron". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  4. ^ a b "Chef Gavin Kaysen expands culinary legacy with three new openings this fall". 23 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b www.bizjournals.com https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2018/05/08/james-beard-awards-name-gavin-kaysen-best-chef.html. Retrieved 2021-08-18. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ The San Diego Union-Tribune (October 10, 2007). Chef Change: Kaysen Moves On
  7. ^ Smillie, Dirk, Forbes.com (June 5, 2007). French Toast
  8. ^ a b Food & Wine (2007). Best New Chefs - 2007 - Gavin Kaysen
  9. ^ Ruhlman, Michael, blog.ruhlman.com (October 23, 2007). Next Iron Chef Perspective Archived 2007-10-25 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ gastronomicfightclub.com (June 9, 2008). 2008 James Beard Award Winners Archived 2008-08-20 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Galarza, Daniela (January 28, 2015). "U.S. Takes Home Silver Medal in Bocuse d'Or 2015". Eater. Vox Media. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  12. ^ "Minneapolis' Spoon and Stable to celebrate 10th anniversary with interior refresh - Bring Me The News". Bring Me The News. Archived from the original on 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  13. ^ a b "How Gavin Kaysen of Spoon and Stable Went from Having a Boss to Being One". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  14. ^ Jones, Justine (2025-12-05). "First Bite: Bellecour in the North Loop". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  15. ^ Vukovic, Kristin (2017-12-02). "In a Minneapolis Suburb, French Cuisine, Tradition and Charm". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  16. ^ Fischer, Reed (2020-07-17). "Gavin Kaysen's Bellecour Has Closed for Good". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  17. ^ a b Lawless, Katherine (2025-12-03). "A New Chapter for Bellecour Begins". Eater Twin Cities. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  18. ^ "Celebrated chefs team up to form Wild's official culinary provider". NHL.com. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  19. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Partner With James Beard Award Winning Chefs, Become First Program In Pro Sports To Use Technology To Fuel Customized Player Nutrition Programs". Minnesota Timberwolves. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  20. ^ "Here's why you should spend $200 for dinner at Demi in North Loop of Minneapolis". Star Tribune. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  21. ^ Summers, Joy (2020-05-04). "James Beard Awards Announces Finalists for 2020, Including These Twin Cities Chefs". Eater Twin Cities. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  22. ^ "GK at Home brings restaurant experience to your home". kare11.com. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  23. ^ Jones, Justine (2022-03-30). "Downtown's Smith & Porter Is Back, Native-Owned Coffee Shop Makwa Comes to Roseville, and More Openings". Eater Twin Cities. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  24. ^ "Chef Gavin Kaysen expands to Florida with new Four Seasons restaurant". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. 2025-11-19. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  25. ^ Grumdahl, Dara Moskowitz (2026-01-11). "How Gavin Kaysen Inspired a Lineage of Twin Cities Restaurants". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  26. ^ McLernon, Lianna Matt (2018-05-08). "Gavin Kaysen Wins Best Chef: Midwest". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  27. ^ "Famed chef Gavin Kaysen returns to San Diego for Callie dinner with longtime mentee Travis Swikard". San Diego Union-Tribune. October 17, 2022.
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