Chef Karen Akunowicz is the 2018 James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef: Northeast and the 2020 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant in America.

Chef Karen is the Chef/Owner of Fox & the Knife Enoteca in South Boston, Bar Volpe Ristorante, and Fox Pasta Company Chef Karen has been touted as “Boston’s Queen of Pasta” and her restaurant Fox & the Knife was called an “Instant Classic” by Food & Wine Magazine and named one of their “Best New Restaurants in America”.

Chef Akunowicz is a well known television personality as a fan favorite on Bravo TV’s Emmy-nominated show “Top Chef” (seasons Season 13 as well as “All-Stars”). She is a rising star on The Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions 3 and 4 and has appeared as a judge on Top Chef, Top Chef Canada, America’s Worst Cooks, Guy’s Grocery Games and America’s Test Kitchen Next Generation. She is  a recurring Judge on “Beat Bobby Flay”.

Karen was named one of the “21 Badass Women Changing the Food World” by Marie Claire Magazine and is the author of  “Crave: Bold Recipes That Make You Want Seconds” which was published in September of 2023 by W.W. Norton.

Chef Karen Akunowicz has not only left an indelible mark on the culinary world with her innovative and flavorful approach to cooking, but she is now sharing her culinary expertise with home cooks everywhere. Her new cookbook, “Crave: Bold Recipes That Make You Want Seconds,” has become a sensation, receiving widespread acclaim and recognition. Notably, the book was recently honored with the prestigious 2023 Cook Book of the Year award by Readable Feast, adding another feather to its cap. Additionally, “Crave” has already secured its place among the top 20 cookbooks on Amazon for 2023, solidifying its status as a must-have for food enthusiasts and home chefs alike.