Hestan Culinary Names Providence Chef-owner Michael Cimarusti Brand Ambassador
More Than a Decade in the Making, the New Partnership Brings Together Two Like-Minded Culinary Leaders United by a Shared Belief in Craftsmanship, Performance, and Tools Built to Stand the Test of Time
NAPA VALLEY, CA (August 19, 2026) – Hestan Culinary, the premium cookware brand renowned for thoughtful innovation and meticulous craftsmanship, has named Chef Michael Cimarusti, chef and co-owner of Los Angeles’ Three MICHELIN Star Providence, a Hestan Culinary Brand Ambassador, formalizing a relationship between the chef and cookware brand that stretches back more than a decade.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American fine dining, Cimarusti brings more than three decades of culinary experience to the new partnership, including collaborating with Hestan on culinary content, recipes, product testing and select live experiences, and offering a closer look at the techniques, ingredients and equipment that inform his cooking. A James Beard Award-winning chef, acclaimed seafood authority, and passionate sustainability advocate, Cimarusti has built his career around refined technique, responsible sourcing, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. For Cimarusti, the partnership is less about adopting something new than standing behind something he already uses and believes in such as Hestan, which has long been part of the kitchen at Providence, which purchased the first Hestan commercial kitchen suite developed by the company.
Throughout his career, Cimarusti has been deliberate about the choices that shape Providence, from the fishermen, farmers, and purveyors he works with to the techniques his kitchen staff employ and the equipment they depend upon every night. His relationship with Hestan grew from that same conviction, the tools behind a dish matter, and that cookware must perform consistently, respond precisely, and withstand the demands of a professional kitchen. Through the partnership, Cimarusti will bring that philosophy to life through culinary storytelling, original content, recipes, product testing, and live culinary experiences that showcase the performance and craftsmanship of Hestan cookware and appliances, while highlighting the thoughtfully engineered tools professional chefs rely on to execute at the highest level, both in the restaurant kitchen and at home. The collaboration will also bring audiences inside Providence’s award-winning kitchen through Hestan’s new “Back of House” series, offering an authentic behind-the-scenes look at Cimarusti’s culinary philosophy, kitchen operations, cooking techniques and the integration of Hestan cookware and appliances within a professional restaurant environment.
“Great cooking demands precision, discipline, and an unwavering respect for the craft. The tools we choose are an extension of that philosophy, and Hestan creates products that marry exceptional performance with thoughtful, purposeful design,” says Chef Michael Cimarusti. “I’ve always believed that if you care deeply about the ingredients you work with, you have to care just as much about what happens to them once they reach the kitchen,” he adds. “Hestan has been part of our kitchen for years because the cookware does exactly what we need it to do, consistently. I use it at Providence, and we use it at home, and it’s something I genuinely stand behind.”
“After years of building our relationship with Chef Michael Cimarusti, we are incredibly proud to welcome him as a Hestan Culinary Brand Ambassador,” states Pamela Stafford, President and CEO of Hestan Culinary. “Chef Michael’s approach to cooking reflects the same values at the heart of Hestan, including a commitment to craft, quality and hospitality, as well as tools designed to perform at the highest level and stand the test of time. We are thrilled to officially welcome him to the Hestan family.”
Cimarusti opened Providence with co-owners Donato Poto and Crisi Echiverri in Los Angeles in 2005, building the restaurant around a deep respect for the ocean, responsible sourcing and the possibilities of seafood. More than two decades later, Providence holds Three MICHELIN Stars and a MICHELIN Green Star, was named No. 32 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 and received the 2026 James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality. Cimarusti was also the recipient of the 2025 Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award, an honor voted on by his industry peers.
