Chef Ariane Duarte
Ariane Duarte is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America whose career is defined by a deep-seated passion for the craft and belief in the power of hospitality. Her journey has taken her through some of the nation’s most prestigious kitchens, including The Terrace and Vine in New York City, Star Canyon in Dallas, and Trio in Chicago, where she honed the bold flavors and creativity that have become her signature.
As a chef-entrepreneur, Ariane successfully owned and operated the acclaimed CulinAriane in Montclair, NJ, and later Ariane Kitchen & Bar in her hometown of Verona, NJ. These spaces became local landmarks, celebrated not just for their sophisticated menus, but for Ariane’s ability to create environments where guests felt a genuine sense of connection and joy.
Ariane’s talent earned her a prominent place on the national stage, most notably as a standout competitor on Season 5 of Bravo’s Top Chef. Her competitive drive and culinary skill led her to win the premiere season of Cook Your Ass Off and a victory over Bobby Flay on a holiday episode of Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. She has also showcased her versatility and speed as a competitor on Chopped.
Today, Ariane has transitioned her expertise into the high-stakes world of culinary production and experiential dining. She currently operates CulinAriane Caterers and serves as a vital culinary producer for powerhouse industry icons, including Amanda Freitag, Carla Hall, Ayesha Nurdjaja and David Rose. Working tirelessly behind the scenes, she manages the intricate logistics of the kitchen so that these chefs can focus on what they do best: sharing stories and connecting with their audience.
At her core, Ariane Duarte remains a "chef’s chef." Whether she is leading a production, competing on screen, or catering an intimate event, she is dedicated to the idea that the heart of any great meal is the community it creates.
Michael Duarte
Michael's career in the foodservice industry began over 35 years ago as a server at his family’s restaurant, Cafe Las Bellas Artes (CLBA), in Elmhurst, Illinois. Upon his graduation from the Culinary Institute of America, he returned to CLBA and as the Executive Chef, he received three stars from the Chicago Tribune and three and one-half stars from the Chicago Sun-Times and was named one of the Best New Chefs by the Chicago Tribune. In 1994 he took a six-month sabbatical to open Stephen Pyles' Star Canyon in Dallas where he met his wife, Ariane. After six months they moved back to Chicago and Michael resumed his role as Executive Chef. In 1997 they moved to New Jersey and in 1999 he accepted a sales position with D'Artagnan. After two years with D’Artagnan, he accepted the Sales Manager position for Urbani Truffle Company USA.
During his time in sales, he and Ariane started their catering company, CulinAriane. In February 2006, they found a location in Montclair, NJ where they decided to open a 30 seat restaurant; Ariane was the Executive Chef and Michael managed the dining room and business. In April 2006 CulinAriane received a four-star rating from the NJ Star-Ledger, and in October 2006 it received a "very good" rating from the NY Times. It was one of New Jersey’s top 25 restaurants for six years, as well as one of the highest Zagat’s rated restaurants in the state. When they sold CulinAriane and opened Ariane kitchen & bar, he assumed the day-to-day dining room and business responsibilities. Starting in 2022, he owns and operates CulinAriane Caterers, bringing delicious food and friendly, professional service to your home.