Matthew Levin
Encyclopedia
Matthew Levin is an American celebrity chef based in Philadelphia. He was the executive chef at Lacroix in the famed Rittenhouse Hotel until December 9, 2008.
on a lacrosse scholarship, studying business. He then went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America
in Hyde Park, New York.
and Brasserie Perrier and Craig Shelton at The Ryland Inn
. Levin eventually went on to distinguished restaurants such as Aureole in New York City
, Charlie Trotters in Chicago
, The Millhouse in Langhorne
and The Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Levin drew national attention as executive chef at the Moonlight Restaurant in New Hope, Pennsylvania
. Bon Appetit reported, “Levin’s culinary creations now share the spotlight with art, thanks to "Moonlight"." The Philadelphia Inquirer
food critic Craig LaBan awarded Moonlight three bells.
Levin returned to his hometown of Philadelphia in 2006 to join the kitchen at Lacroix. Soon after his arrival, critic Craig LaBan once again reviewed Levin's work and awarded the cuisine a rare four bells stating, "Chef Levin has elevated this luxury destination to an elite four-bell status", hailing Levin’s creations as "Philly’s most sophisticated contemporary cooking".
Lifestyle Magazine named Levin among the region’s best chefs and Philadelphia Style magazine named Levin one of Philadelphia's "Hot Chefs in 2007". In 2008, Philadelphia Magazine rated Lacroix #2 out of the top 50 restaurants in Philadelphia.
At the end of 2008 Levin left Lacroix to open his own restaurant. In 2008 it was reported that the restaurant, Masano, was slated to open late 2009 or early 2010. The deal for Masano, and another restaurant, later fell through. In 2009, though not the Manayunk
restaurant he had planned, Levin opened Rubb BBQ. In 2010 Levin plans on opening Adsum bistro.
Early life
Levin attended Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
on a lacrosse scholarship, studying business. He then went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America
Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America is a non-profit culinary college located in Hyde Park USA, founded in 1946. The CIA also has branch campuses in St. Helena, California, and San Antonio, Texas, as well as a campus in Singapore. It is a not-for-profit academic institution of higher learning...
in Hyde Park, New York.
Career
As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Levin began his culinary career training under chefs including George Perrier at Le Bec-FinLe Bec-Fin
Le Bec-Fin is a French restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which opened in 1970. Owner and founder Georges Perrier named the restaurant after the French colloquialism for "Fine Palate". The restaurant has been rated as America's finest French restaurant and the Mobil Travel Guide has...
and Brasserie Perrier and Craig Shelton at The Ryland Inn
The Ryland Inn
The Ryland Inn was a restaurant in Readington Township, New Jersey that won the James Beard Mid-Atlantic region top prize.-History:Craig Shelton took over as chef and managing partner in 1991 at the age of 30....
. Levin eventually went on to distinguished restaurants such as Aureole in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Charlie Trotters in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, The Millhouse in Langhorne
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Langhorne is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,622 at the 2010 census.The name "Langhorne" is used broadly to describe the majority of surrounding Middletown Township, which for the most part uses Langhorne's zip code of 19047...
and The Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Levin drew national attention as executive chef at the Moonlight Restaurant in New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
. Bon Appetit reported, “Levin’s culinary creations now share the spotlight with art, thanks to "Moonlight"." The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily newspaper that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area of the United States. The newspaper was founded by John R. Walker and John Norvell in June 1829 as The Pennsylvania Inquirer and is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the...
food critic Craig LaBan awarded Moonlight three bells.
Levin returned to his hometown of Philadelphia in 2006 to join the kitchen at Lacroix. Soon after his arrival, critic Craig LaBan once again reviewed Levin's work and awarded the cuisine a rare four bells stating, "Chef Levin has elevated this luxury destination to an elite four-bell status", hailing Levin’s creations as "Philly’s most sophisticated contemporary cooking".
Lifestyle Magazine named Levin among the region’s best chefs and Philadelphia Style magazine named Levin one of Philadelphia's "Hot Chefs in 2007". In 2008, Philadelphia Magazine rated Lacroix #2 out of the top 50 restaurants in Philadelphia.
At the end of 2008 Levin left Lacroix to open his own restaurant. In 2008 it was reported that the restaurant, Masano, was slated to open late 2009 or early 2010. The deal for Masano, and another restaurant, later fell through. In 2009, though not the Manayunk
Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Manayunk is a neighborhood in the northwestern section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River, it contains the first canal begun in the United States . The area's name comes from the language of the Lenape Indians...
restaurant he had planned, Levin opened Rubb BBQ. In 2010 Levin plans on opening Adsum bistro.