South Florida Food 50: Brad Kilgore of Alter

Brad Kilgore, chef-partner of Alter

Why he’s Food 50: Miami’s highest-rated chef is changing our perception of haute cuisine in the Magic City.

Brad Kilgore had the comfiest of gigs as chef de cuisine of Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s J&G Grill at the St. Regis Bal Harbour, which he lifted to four-star status in late 2014. But he had bigger aspirations than cooking at a resort, and he wanted to shine outside the shadow of an out-of-town celebrity chef. He jumped ship to open his own restaurant, Alter, which picked up a four-star Miami Herald review in July. Kilgore is the only chef to have back-to-back flawless Herald critiques.

His Alter has paved the way for fine-dining restaurants in Wynwood, elevating that white-hot neighborhood’s food scene. And Kilgore has set a path for talented young chefs to break out of their corporate customs and create their own ways.

Where to find him: Alter, 223 NW 23rd St., Miami; 305-573-5996

Web: www.altermiami.com

Instagram: @brad_kilgore

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 4:00 AM with the headline "South Florida Food 50: Brad Kilgore of Alter."