Karen Akunowicz

Karen Akunowicz is an American chef and restaurateur based in Boston, Massachusetts. Born on September 17, 1978, in Kearny, New Jersey, she developed a passion for culinary arts and decided to pursue a career in the field. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Akunowicz attended the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Her culinary journey led her to work at renowned establishments such as L'Avian Blu in Modena, Italy, Via Matta, and Oleana in Boston. Eventually, she became the executive chef and partner at Joanne Chang's Myers+Chang, where she garnered a James Beard Award nomination in 2015. Currently, Akunowicz is the chef and proprietor of the highly acclaimed Fox & the Knife enoteca in Boston, which has received numerous accolades and was named one of the best new restaurants. In 2018, she won the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Northeast.