Michel Cornu

Michel Cornu is the Director of Cuisine & Hospitality for Boisset Family Estates, where he creates menus and oversees all fine dining experiences for Raymond Vineyards, DeLoach and Buena Vista. Chef Michel’s panache for hospitality delights each guest, and his talent in the kitchen leaves a delicious and memorable experience. His goal is to create beautiful food with expressive taste and flavor while using seasonal ingredients.  

Michel was born and raised in Paris, France and began his career in the U.S. in 1978. His love of cooking sprouted at birth and runs in the family. Michel loved to watch his father, who was also a chef and restaurant owner. “The nice thing about working at a winery, versus a restaurant, is the ability to prepare different dishes every day, rather than being confined to the same menu night after night,” he mentioned.  

Prior to joining the Boisset Family Estates team, Michel was the private chef for The Consulate General of Switzerland, San Francisco. From 1991 to 2005, he launched the culinary program at Far Niente Winery and was responsible for private, special, corporate and fundraiser events. Serving as a restaurant chef and manager at various locations nationally, including Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, CA, Michel began his entrepreneurial career in 1987 with the launch of a successful catering business and also acquired Mama Nina’s restaurant in Yountville, California, which he sold in 1991. He continuously acts as a consultant for various areas and restaurants, recently working with Sun Valley, ID, to revise and upgrade their restaurants.  

Michel currently lives in Napa and loves to experiment with different styles of painting and expression in his free time.