Scott Conant

Scott Conant Profile

Scott Conant brings a deft touch and unwavering passion to creating singular dining experiences with soulful food and a convivial atmosphere. His career spans nearly 30 years, including multiple restaurants, an enthusiastic following of fans, and an ever-expanding brand. He has established himself as one of the country’s top chefs and restaurateurs.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Conant broke out onto the restaurant scene in his twenties, running the kitchens of famed Italian spots such as il Toscanaccio, San Domenico, Chianti, and City Eatery, which earned glowing reviews under his leadership.

Conant officially put his name on the map when he opened the beloved L’Impero in 2002. It garnered a three-star review from The New York Times, the title of “Best New Restaurant” from the James Beard Foundation, and praise from top publications such as Gourmet and Food & Wine, which named Conant one of America’s Best New Chefs in 2004.

Following the success of L’Impero, Conant opened Alto, an elegant Italian restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Always looking to raise the bar, Conant eventually moved on to bring his own vision of savory Italian cooking to life with Scarpetta. Since opening in 2008, the downtown New York restaurant has expanded to five locations across North America including Las Vegas, Miami, and Los Angeles, and has gained critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base for its lively, sophisticated approach to Italian fare.

In recent years, Conant has also opened D.O.C.G. Enoteca, a casual wine bar at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, and unveiled the SCM Culinary Suite, a beautiful private loft in SoHo where he can interact directly with guests and bring them his special brand of hospitality through private dinners, cocktail parties, and cooking demos. In 2013, he debuted a signature menu at McCarran International Airport’s new American Express Centurion Lounge.

He has appeared on the “Today Show,” “The Chew,” Bravo’s “Top Chef,” “The Talk” and “Good Morning America,” and is a regular judge on Chopped, the highest rated show on the Food Network and one of the top shows in all cable television. Conant has also published three cookbooks: New Italian Cooking, Bold Italian, and The Scarpetta Cookbook.

The famous chef brought significant awareness to Alzheimer’s by winning the $50,000 grand prize on “Chopped-All Stars” to Keep Memory Alive, an organization that strives to increase awareness and raise funds for brain disorders. Chef Conant said this of his donation: “I’m proud to align myself with such a great organization like Keep Memory Alive. And then on top of it, to be able to pull out the win and bring them a check for $50,000. It’s amazing when things all line up. I feel really blessed.”

As Scott continues to embark on new opportunities, he looks forward to sharing his enduring philosophy: Savor the pure pleasure of food, down to its last taste.