Michael Voltaggio Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Restaurants, Brother, Children, TV Shows, Height

Michael Voltaggio is an acclaimed American chef and restaurateur who rose to fame after winning Season 6 of Bravo’s Top Chef in 2009.

Known for his modern American style and technical precision, he first earned widespread attention through his role as Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room in Pasadena, where the restaurant earned a Michelin star and top industry accolades.

Profile

• Full name: Michael D. Voltaggio
• Date of birth: September 29, 1978
• Age: 47 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Frederick, Maryland, U.S.
• State of origin: Maryland
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef; restaurateur; author
• Parents: John Voltaggio (father); Sharon Voltaggio (mother)
• Siblings: Bryan Voltaggio (brother)
• Spouse: Bria Vinaite (m. November 18, 2022); ex-wife Kerri Adams (div.)
• Children: Sophia Voltaggio (daughter); Olivia Voltaggio (daughter); Echo Monroe Voltaggio (daughter)
• Relationship status: Married to Bria Vinaite
• Ethnicity: American-Italian
• Net worth: US $4 million

Early Life and Education

Michael Voltaggio is now 47 years old and was born on September 29, 1978, in Frederick, Maryland. He is the younger brother of fellow celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio.

His parents, John and Sharon, divorced when he was five, and he initially lived with his mother before moving to his father’s care, growing up alongside Bryan and a third sibling.

Without the means to attend culinary school, Michael entered the renowned Greenbrier Hotel Culinary Apprenticeship Program, completing it by age 21 under Master Chef Peter Timmins.

Afterward, he worked at The Ritz‑Carlton in Naples, Florida, under Timmins and then at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, California, under Charlie Palmer.

He later became Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room at the Langham Huntington in Pasadena, helping earn that restaurant a Michelin star along with AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five-Star awards.

Personal Life

Michael Voltaggio was first married to Kerri Adams. He shares two daughters, Sophia and Olivia, with his Kerri Adams; both reside with their mother in West Virginia.

On November 18, 2022, he married actress Bria Vinaite in an intimate ceremony in Hawaii, held on her 29th birthday.

Together they welcomed their first child, Echo Monroe Voltaggio, on June 1, 2024.

Career

After winning Top Chef in 2009, Michael Voltaggio opened ink. in West Hollywood in 2011, aiming to redefine modern Los Angeles cuisine. Within months, the restaurant was named “America’s Best New Restaurant” by GQ magazine in 2012.

A casual sandwich offshoot, ink.sack, operated from 2011 to 2018; ink.well followed but closed in 2018.

He later launched STRFSH in Santa Monica (2017–2021), Estuary in Washington D.C. (2019–2022), Voltaggio Brothers Steakhouse at National Harbor, MD (2016–present), and Thacher & Rye in Frederick, MD (2020–present).

On television, he remains a visible figure: winner and alum of Top Chef; judge and competitor on Iron Chef America, Guy’s Grocery Games, Tournament of Champions; guest roles in Lucifer, Suburgatory, Young & Hungry; judge on The Julia Child Challenge; and culinary Titan on Bobby’s Triple Threat.

He also co‑authored the cookbook VOLT ink.: Recipes, Stories, Brothers with his brother Bryan in 2011.

He supports food-related brands, sells branded merchandise like knives and aprons, consults on restaurant development, speaks at culinary conferences, and invests in hospitality-related real estate and tech ventures.

Voltaggio is also philanthropic, participating in hunger relief organizations, culinary education programs, sustainability initiatives, and community outreach efforts through fundraisers and scholarships.

Awards

• Top Chef Season 6 winner (2009)
• Michelin Star as Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room, Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa
• AAA Five Diamond Award & Mobil Five‑Star Award at The Dining Room
• Named “America’s Best New Restaurant” for ink. by GQ magazine (2012)
• James Beard Foundation nomination for Best New Restaurant (The Bazaar, 2008)

Net worth

Michael Voltaggio’s net worth is estimated at approximately US $4 million, built through his restaurant ventures, television roles, cookbook sales, brand partnerships, consulting and investments in hospitality and media.

Social Media

• Instagram: @mvoltaggio
• X: @MVoltaggio
• TikTok: @michaelvoltaggio
• Facebook: @MichaelVoltaggio

Filmography

• Top Chef Season 6
• Iron Chef America
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Tournament of Champions
• The Julia Child Challenge

Books

• VOLT ink.: Recipes, Stories, Brothers