Dana Beninati

Chef, sommelier and culinary instructor, Dana Beninati has trained in multiple countries and Michelin star restaurants, including both the kitchen and wine cellar of the #1 restaurant in the world. She has lived in Spain, Italy, and Germany.

Dana is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, where she got her first taste of teaching on camera for NBC’s Miami Morning Show. Dana then joined the faculty at Cornell University’s prestigious Hotel School, teaching food & wine courses while earning her MBA. Next, Dana set her sites on larger audiences which led her to The Food Network, where she taught over 100 live cooking classes for Food Network Kitchen, many of which featured recipes she developed. Dana’s passion for food and education is most ignited in front of the camera. Dana effortlessly makes her kitchen into a classroom and will teach you to master your own!

When she is not offering food & wine tips, Dana enjoys supporting Food Education Fund – a nonprofit providing hospitality education to 3 NYC public high schools. She is happiest traveling to new places, with chef’s knife, wine opener, and camera in hand.

Gift of wine: "I can identify what country a wine comes from just by tasting it!"