Hillary Sterling Chef

Damon Kuhn 19 Jun 2025

Hillary Sterling Chef - A Culinary Story

It seems like Hillary Sterling, the chef, has quite a full schedule these days, and honestly, who could blame her? When she's not busy running the kitchen at Ci Siamo, the place that gets a lot of good remarks, she's taking care of her new baby. That's a lot to keep up with, you know, balancing a demanding job and a growing family. It really shows how much energy she puts into everything she does, and it's quite something to see.

Her work at Ci Siamo, a spot that has earned a lot of praise, builds on some basic ideas from Italian cooking. She really focuses on getting ingredients from nearby, like salt made right in Hell's Kitchen or flour that comes from mills in New York State. This way, she lets what's available during different times of the year guide the food, which, you know, makes a lot of sense for fresh flavors. It's about letting nature do its thing, in a way, and using what's best at any given moment.

Hillary Sterling has been a chef in New York City for a good while, and right now, she's the main chef at Ci Siamo, which many people consider one of the very best places to eat around. Her path to this point is, quite frankly, a little unexpected and also rather inspiring. It goes from getting into a bit of trouble as a young person and just sort of finding her way into restaurants, to becoming the head chef at a place like Ci Siamo. It's a story that, in some respects, shows how you can find your true calling in surprising ways.

Biography - The Path of Hillary Sterling Chef
What Shaped Hillary Sterling Chef's Early Days?
How Does Hillary Sterling Chef Approach Italian Flavors?
The Heart of Ci Siamo - Hillary Sterling Chef's Vision
Beyond the Restaurant - What Else Keeps Hillary Sterling Chef Busy?
Influences and Mentors - Guiding Hillary Sterling Chef
What Makes a Private Event with Hillary Sterling Chef Special?
A Chef's Gratitude - The Mexican Thanksgiving of Hillary Sterling Chef

Biography - The Path of Hillary Sterling Chef

Hillary Sterling, a chef whose work has truly made a mark, has a story that begins in Brooklyn, New York, where she was born and also grew up. Her connection to the food service world, you know, really started to take hold when she was just a teenager. During the warm months, she spent time in Montauk, New York, where she worked as someone who cleared tables. That early experience, just a little bit of a start, gave her a first taste of what the industry was all about, and it seems to have stuck with her ever since. It was, in a way, the very first step on a rather long and interesting path.

Full Name	Hillary Sterling
Place of Birth	Brooklyn, New York
Current Role	Executive Chef at Ci Siamo
Known For	Italian cooking, local sourcing, seasonal ingredients
Past Roles	Chef at Vic's, Sous Chef at Bar Milano, Sous Chef at A.

What Shaped Hillary Sterling Chef's Early Days?

The early parts of Hillary Sterling's time in the cooking business, you know, are quite interesting. She was born and also spent her younger years in Brooklyn, New York. It was during her teenage years that she first felt drawn to the kitchen world. She spent her summers in Montauk, New York, doing the job of bussing tables. This was, in a way, her first real contact with how restaurants work, the energy of them, and the kind of effort it takes. It was, arguably, a humble beginning that set the stage for all that came later. This hands-on work, even if it was just clearing dishes, gave her a real sense of the daily rhythm of a busy eating place.

Her path into becoming a chef, as a matter of fact, wasn't something she planned out from the very start. The story goes that she got into a bit of trouble as a young person, and then, sort of by chance, she found herself working in restaurants. This unexpected entry into the cooking world is part of what makes her story rather inspiring. It shows that sometimes, the most important turns in your life happen when you're just trying to figure things out. This early period, you know, seems to have given her a strong foundation, teaching her about hard work and the fast pace of a kitchen.

How Does Hillary Sterling Chef Approach Italian Flavors?

When it comes to the food at Ci Siamo, Hillary Sterling, the chef, builds her dishes on the basic ideas of Italian cooking. This means she really values using ingredients from nearby sources. For example, she gets finishing salt that is made right there in Hell's Kitchen, and the flour she uses is milled in New York State. This focus on local items is, in some respects, a way of connecting the food directly to the place where it's being made. It's about freshness, of course, but also about supporting the people who grow and make things close by.

A big part of her method is letting the seasons guide what she cooks. This means that the menu at Ci Siamo changes with the time of year, making sure that the vegetables, fruits, and other items are at their very best. It's a natural way to cook, you know, because it respects the rhythm of the land. This approach means that if you visit the restaurant at different times, you'll find different things to eat, all of them reflecting what's fresh and available. It's a way of celebrating the natural world through food, and that, is that, truly makes a difference in the taste.

Her time working as a sous chef at Bar Milano, under the owner Jason Denton, helped her gain a deeper appreciation for the cooking styles of Northern Italy. This experience, you know, really helped her understand the subtleties and traditions of that particular kind of Italian food. It was a period of learning and growing, where she could really get into the details of specific dishes and techniques. This background, along with her focus on local and seasonal items, forms the core of how Hillary Sterling, the chef, creates her Italian-inspired meals today. It’s a blend of tradition and a fresh perspective, which is pretty cool, if you ask me.

The Heart of Ci Siamo - Hillary Sterling Chef's Vision

Ci Siamo, the restaurant where Hillary Sterling, the chef, leads the kitchen, is part of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. This connection is quite important, as Meyer's group is known for creating places that offer a really good experience for people who come to eat. So, Ci Siamo is not just any eating place; it's a spot that aims to provide something special, with Hillary Sterling's ideas about food at its very core. It's a place where her vision for Italian cooking, with its focus on fresh, local, and seasonal items, truly comes to life for everyone to enjoy. It’s, like, a big deal to be part of that group, you know.

As the executive chef, Hillary Sterling is responsible for bringing the restaurant's food ideas to life. This means she oversees everything that goes on in the kitchen, from planning the menu to making sure every dish that leaves the kitchen is just right. Her goal is to create meals that are both comforting and exciting, using those simple Italian principles but with her own touch. It’s about making food that feels familiar but also offers something new and interesting to the people who come to eat. She has, you know, a real knack for making things taste just right.

The fact that Ci Siamo is considered one of "our favorite restaurants in all the land" really speaks to the quality of the food and the overall feeling of the place. This kind of praise doesn't come easily; it means that Hillary Sterling, the chef, and her team are consistently putting out dishes that people truly love and remember. It's a place where the care put into choosing ingredients and preparing them shines through in every bite. That, you know, is a pretty strong statement about the kind of work she does there, and it’s a testament to her dedication to making food that truly connects with people.

Beyond the Restaurant - What Else Keeps Hillary Sterling Chef Busy?

Besides running the kitchen at Ci Siamo, Hillary Sterling, the chef, has a lot on her plate these days. She's also tending to her newborn, which, you know, is a huge and wonderful commitment that takes a lot of time and energy. Balancing a demanding job like being an executive chef with the responsibilities of a new parent is, in a way, a remarkable feat. It shows her ability to manage many different parts of her life while still giving her best to each one. This balance is, honestly, something many people find challenging, so it’s pretty cool she manages it.

Her busy schedule also includes other culinary activities, such as private dining experiences. You can, for instance, join "celebrity chef Hillary Sterling in New York City for a private dining experience with Redjet Entertainment." This kind of event offers guests a chance to have a meal that is made just for them, featuring her special dishes. It's a more personal way to experience her cooking, outside of the restaurant setting. These private events mean she's not just cooking for a large crowd every night but also creating unique moments for smaller groups, which, you know, adds another layer to her work.

The idea of creating "memorable experiences with your loved ones by hiring a private chef" aligns perfectly with what Hillary Sterling, the chef, offers through these special events. It's about bringing the feel of an "upscale restaurant" right to someone's home or a private venue. This kind of service, where the cooking is done on site, provides a truly unique and personal way to enjoy fine food. It means she's constantly moving, not just staying in one kitchen, and that, you know, keeps things interesting and varied for her, apparently.

Influences and Mentors - Guiding Hillary Sterling Chef

Hillary Sterling's journey as a chef has been shaped by some important people and experiences along the way. Working under Chef Missy Robbins was a significant time for her, where she "fell in love with the" (culinary process, presumably). This kind of mentorship is, in a way, very important for anyone learning a craft. It suggests that Robbins helped Hillary Sterling find a deeper passion for cooking and understand the intricacies of the kitchen world. These early influences, you know, often set the direction for a person's entire working life.

Her time as a sous chef at Bar Milano, working with owner Jason Denton, was also a period where she "deepened her appreciation for northern Italian cuisine." This specific focus on a particular style of cooking allowed her to really get into the details and traditions of those dishes. Learning from experienced chefs and owners, you know, helps a person develop their own style and approach. It's about absorbing knowledge and then making it your own, which is a big part of growing in any field. This was, in some respects, a very important part of her learning.

In 2009, Hillary Sterling "accepted a position as sous chef at a" (another restaurant, the text suggests a significant one). This move, though the exact place isn't named, points to a continued path of growth and taking on more responsibility. Each role as a sous chef would have added to her skills and understanding of running a kitchen, preparing her for the executive chef position she holds today. These steps, one after another, built up her experience and confidence, which, you know, is how most people get to the top of their field.

What Makes a Private Event with Hillary Sterling Chef Special?

When you choose to have a private dining event with Hillary Sterling, the chef, it’s about getting a truly personal experience. These events, offered through groups like Redjet Entertainment, are not just about serving food; they are about creating a unique moment. Guests get to enjoy a "personalized dining event featuring signature dishes." This means the meal is crafted to suit the specific tastes and desires of the people attending, making it different from a regular restaurant visit. It’s a very tailored kind of experience, which is pretty neat.

The idea of "expert" service also plays a big part in what makes these private events stand out. It’s not just the food itself, but also the way it's presented and the overall flow of the evening. Hillary Sterling, the chef, brings her years of experience and her particular style to these settings, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and feels special. It's like bringing a top-tier restaurant experience right to your chosen location, whether that's your home or another private spot. This level of attention, you know, really makes a difference.

The goal of these private chef services is to "create memorable experiences with your loved ones." By bringing "your favorite upscale restaurant to you," Hillary Sterling helps people celebrate important moments in a very special way. It's about providing "luxury fine dining services" with "on-site cooking," meaning the food is prepared fresh right where you are. This hands-on approach, you know, adds to the freshness and the overall feeling of the event, making it truly one of a kind. It's, like, a really cool way to enjoy amazing food without having to go out.

A Chef's Gratitude - The Mexican Thanksgiving of Hillary Sterling Chef

For Hillary Sterling, the chef, there's a special tradition called "Mexican Thanksgiving." It's described as "more than just the year’s biggest family meal." This suggests it's a deeply personal event, something that goes beyond the usual holiday gathering. It's her particular way to "express gratitude," to show thanks for things in her life. This kind of personal celebration, you know, gives us a glimpse into her values and what matters to her outside of the professional kitchen. It’s a pretty unique way to celebrate, actually.

This Mexican Thanksgiving is also a time for her to "cut loose" and "experiment with cooking that inspires her." This means it's a chance for her to step away from the strict demands of a restaurant kitchen and just enjoy the process of making food for personal joy. It's a moment for creativity and trying new things, which, you know, is important for any artist or craftsperson. It allows her to explore different flavors and techniques that might not fit into her regular restaurant menu, keeping her passion for cooking fresh and alive. It's, like, her personal playground for food.

The fact that this event is a way for her to "experiment with cooking that inspires her" shows that even a highly regarded chef like Hillary Sterling is always learning and growing. It’s a reminder that passion for food can be expressed in many ways, not just through professional endeavors. This tradition seems to be a source of personal renewal and a way to connect with her roots or other culinary interests. It’s a lovely example of how cooking can be both a job and a very personal form of expression, which, you know, is something truly special about her approach.

Chef Hillary Sterling | Linktree

Roaming Chef Hillary

Hillary Sterling (@chefhillarysterling) • Instagram photos and videos

Mutuals With A Celebrity

Hillary Sterling Chef