Edward Lee

Edward Lee is a Brooklyn-born celebrity chef, author and restaurateur. He has made numerous television appearances on shows including The Mind of a Chef and Top Chef as well as a judge on Gordon Ramsay's Culinary Genius. He is a nine-time James Beard Award nominee, owns multiple restaurants throughout the United States and the Caribbean, and is the author of two award-winning books Buttermilk Graffiti and Smoke and Pickles. Early life, family and education Lee was born on July 2, 1972, and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, to Korean parents. He began cooking at age 11 and credits his grandmother with first sparking his interest in food. Before college, he worked in a traveling circus. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in literature from New York University. Career Lee began cooking professionally at age 22. He traveled to France and toured the US to learn more about different ingredients, cuisines and cooking methods.