Celebrity Chef
Michael Kornick, Chef/Owner
Chef Michael Kornick, founder and owner of mk, is a nationally recognized leader in the culinary arts. Kornick works with the freshest seasonal ingredients and stays true to classical cooking techniques. It is his belief that ingredients should speak for themselves.
Michael Kornick graduated in 1982 from the Culinary Institute of America and went on to work with some of the most influential chefs and restaurant operators in the United States. These include Barry Wine at New York’s legendary, The Quilted Giraffe; Gordon Sinclair, of Gordon Restaurant and with Richard Melman at Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises on various themed restaurants. Chef Kornick at the age of 28, was one of the youngest Executive Chefs hired by the Four Seasons Hotel Company in 1991.
Kornick was then sought out to develop two successful restaurants Red Light and Marché, for KDK Restaurant Group in Chicago. Both restaurants received critical national acclaim and Red Light was included in John Mariani’s annual survey, “Best New Restaurants of the Year,” in Esquire Magazine.
In 1998 Kornick, together with his wife Lisa, opened mk, the restaurant. Since opening, the restaurant has been acclaimed by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, and Chicago magazine, all recognizing mk with a three-star review. Condé Nast Traveler selected mk as one of the “Hottest Restaurants in the World,” and Esquire chose mk as one of the “Top Restaurants to Open in 1999.” After twelve successful years in business, mk continues to thrive and has established a reputation for being both contemporary and timeless. Kornick was nominated five consecutive years as Midwest Best Chef by the James Beard Foundation.
Kornick currently serves as Chef/partner for the 9Group Las Vegas. 9Group Las Vegas owns and operates Nine Steakhouse and Nove Italiano restaurants along with four nightclubs and The Pool at the Palms in Las Vegas’ Palms Casino Hotel and Resort.
In November of 2009 Kornick launched DMK Burger Bar in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. DMK serves grass fed beef burgers along with hand cut fries and craft beers. DMK has received national critical acclain for not only its fine food, but great service and hospitality. In March of 2011 Kornick launched Fish Bar, his newest concept. Fish Bar is a thirty-seat counter service restaurant featuring sustainable fresh seafood with Belgian Ales and citrus-based cocktails.
Although known primarily for his accomplishments as a chef, Michael Kornick has developed into one of the country’s leading restaurateurs. He is highly sought after as an authority on restaurant management and customer service and is known as a generous mentor to those who have worked under him past and present.
Kornick lives in Evanston Illlinois with his wife and business partner Lisa and their four children, Rose, Olivier, Zachary and Sophie.