SECOND RUNNER-UP: BEAU MacMILLAN of elements

New York has Bobby Flay. California has Tyler Florence. And the Valley has Beau MacMillan. With appearances on Food Network’s “Iron Chef: America” (in which MacMillan took down Flay in the Kobe beef battle) and “Worst Cooks in America,” the local culinary pro has solidified himself as a celebrity chef. However, Valley residents can enjoy the chef’s deliciousness anytime as he heads up the kitchen at elements restaurant at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa and has since 1998.
MacMillan’s culinary career started at the age of 16 at the Crane Brook Restaurant & Tea Room in his home state of Massachusetts. “Originally, cooking wasn’t a career goal; it just kept me out of trouble,” the chef says. Working for Francois De Melogue at Crane Brook, though, inspired MacMillan to consider taking a food-focused career path. “[His] passion for food and cooking philosophies caught on with me,” says MacMillan, who is a father of two. “That was when I first became inspired to pursue a culinary career.”

Chef MacMillan’s Favorite…
Local dish: Lee Hillson’s peanut butter-and-banana Elvis dessert was one of the best things I ever ate. Type of cuisine: I miss my fried New England clams. I also love Chinese food. Foodie movie: “Tampopo.” Chuck Wiley leant me his copy. I think this movie is great for two reasons: It is an entertaining movie with great food, and it also sums up my relationship with Chuck, who is my greatest mentor. Cookbook: “Happy in the Kitchen” by Michel Richard. Brilliant. Beer: Hitachino Nest White Ale Bottle of wine: Huge Wattle Creek fan. Chris Williams and family make some good juice.