Suzanne Goin was born in Los Angeles to food-obsessed Francophile parents. By the time she graduated with honors from Brown University she had worked at the legendary Ma Maison and L’Orangerie in Los Angeles, Al Forno in Providence and the Roux brothers’ Le Mazarin in London. After two years working at Alice Water's Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Suzanne followed her dream of working in France at Didier Oudill's two-star Pain, Adour Et Fantasie, Alain Passard’s three-starred Arpege in Paris as well as Patisserie Christian Pottier in 1992. She returned to the States in 1995 and continued to learn her art from those she admired, working with leading American chefs Todd English at Olives in Boston and with Nancy Silverton and Mark Peel at the celebrated Campanile where she became executive chef. In 1998, Suzanne opened her first restaurant, Lucques, in West Hollywood, with her business partner Caroline Styne. The restaurant met with instant success and Suzanne was named one of Food and Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs” in 1999. LUCQUES received praise from Condénast Traveler, Gourmet, Bon Appétit and Saveur, including a prestigious 3-star review by the Los Angeles Times in 2002. Suzanne and Caroline opened their second restaurant, A.O.C. in 2002. This venture, an original concept of inspired wines by the glass and small plates menu, met with enthusiasm from the public and press. The next creation debuted in 2005 with The Hungry Cat, a casual seafood spot in Hollywood and a collaboration with Chef David Lentz, Suzanne’s husband. Now with a second location in Santa Barbara, a third Hungry Cat is planned for a prime location on the coast in Santa Monica in 2011. In 2005, Suzanne’s cookbook, Sunday Suppers at Lucques, was published by Alfred A. Knopf. In 2006, the James Beard Foundation acknowledged Suzanne’s culinary achievements with the award for Best Chef California and an award for her cookbook, Best Cookbook from a Professional Viewpoint. She has received four nominations for Outstanding Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation, including the just-announced semifinalists for 2011. Suzanne and Lucques Catering have been the official caterers for the annual SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards for the past two years. Tavern, the newest venture by Suzanne and business partner Caroline Styne, opened in 2009. The Brentwood restaurant serves as a casual neighborhood meeting place, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a full retail market from the Tavern Larder. Suzanne is a dedicated contributor to her community and continues to be recognized for her talents and generosity. Suzanne, husband David Lentz, and partner Caroline Styne launched the “L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade” cookout fundraiser in 2010, contributing over $300K in its inaugural year to fund research for childhood cancer. Suzanne and David live in Los Angeles with their three children, two cats, one dog and multiple fish.