Bringing over a decade of experience, Chris Shea joined the team at The Wayfarer, located at 101 West 57th Street in New York City, as executive chef. He will work with the culinary team to execute a menu featuring modern takes on classic American dishes.
Prior to joining the team at The Wayfarer, Chef Shea held the position of executive chef at David Burke Kitchen, where he worked since 2011. He also appeared on Top Chef Masters: Season 5.
Born and raised in Manhattan, Shea developed an interest in food while making deliveries for the legendary Frank’s Market, in Washington Heights, at age 12. By the time he was 18, Shea found himself butchering meat at the market while staging at nearby Oceana restaurant before attending the Institute of Culinary Education for formal training.
Shea immersed himself in the New York City culinary scene immediately following school, including a stint at the Park Avenue Café where he first met David Burke, the restaurant’s then owner and executive chef. Over the next eight years, Shea became an integral part of Burke’s culinary team, eventually arriving at David Burke Kitchen in 2011.
As the executive chef of David Burke Kitchen, Shea oversaw the staff and developed new menu items that showcased Burke’s combination of inventive presentation and rustic flavor.
