President, Myriad Restaurant Group

Drew Nieporent is one of America's most respected and celebrated restaurateurs, and the proud and energetic owner of Montrachet, Tribeca Grill, Rubicon, Layla, TriBakery, Nobu, Nobu London, Next Door Nobu, HeartBeat, Earth & Ocean, Icon, Lucca, Pulse, and The Coach House-- with more to come. A 1977 graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Management, Nieporent started his career in management at Maxwell's Plum, Tavern On The Green, La Reserve, Le Perigord, La Grenouille, and Le Regence.

He is the recipient of many personal honors, including the distinction of being inducted into "Who's Who Of Cooking In America" by the James Beard Foundation (1992), "Man Of The Year" honors from The Food & Beverage Association (1993), the "Gates Of Jerusalem" Medal from Israel Bonds (1994), and the "Outstanding Service Award" at The James Beard Awards (1995). He was honored with both the James Beard Foundation and DiRona Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2000 as well as the Restaurateur of the Year from Bon Appetit Magazine in 2000.

In 1985, he opened "Montrachet" and received a three star rating from the New York Times (which has given the restaurant three subsequent 3 star reviews). In its 16 year history, Montrachet has become one of America's most revered and honored restaurants. This includes induction into the Nation's Restaurant News Hall Of Fame, the Ivy Award from Restaurant Business and Institutions, a four star rating and "Grand Award" from the Wine Spectator, and ten consecutive years of three star ratings from Forbes. In addition to Drew's "Outstanding Service Award" for Montrachet from the James Beard Foundation, the restaurant also garnered the "Outstanding Wine Service" Award in 1995. In 1998, the Wine Spectator named Montrachet's Wine List the "Best Restaurant Wine List in New York City."

In 1990 with actor/director Robert DeNiro, Drew opened the "Tribeca Grill", which instantly attained worldwide acclaim. Tribeca Grill has been hailed as one of the "Fifty Best restaurants In America" by Conde Nast Traveler and cited for "Best Wine List In America" by Restaurant Hospitality. In 1998 Tribeca Grill received the coveted "Ivy Award" from Restaurants & Institutions. Since 1998, the restaurant has received the "Best of Award of Excellence" from Wine Spectator. Tribeca Grill celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2000 with the release of the Tribeca Grill Cook Book by Executive Chef Don Pintabona.

In 1993, Drew formed the Myriad Restaurant Group, a hospitality consulting and management company with wide-ranging expertise in wine, food service, marketing, and real estate services. Myriad opened two notable restaurants in East Hampton, and handled the opening of the Harley-Davidson Cafe, and managed "Restaurant Charlotte" at the Hotel Macklowe. Consulting services are currently provided to Interstate Hotels (Steelhead Grill, The Coach House), Starwood (HeartBeat at the "W" New York, Icon at the "W" Court, and Earth & Ocean at "W" Seattle Hotel), Boca Raton Resort & Club (Lucca) & Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Jordan Winery & Vineyard, and Neiman Marcus among others.

In 1994, Drew opened two outstanding new restaurants-- "Rubicon" in San Francisco with partners Robert DeNiro, Francis Ford Coppola & Robin Williams, and "Nobu" with revered Japanese Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and Mr. DeNiro in New York City. Both restaurants were honored with nominations as Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation, and were featured in Esquire Magazine's "Best New Restaurants of 1994 " feature.

Prestigious 1995 James Beard Awards were earned by both Rubicon (Rising Star Chef), and Nobu (Best New Restaurant).

September 1995 saw the opening of TriBakery, a full service bakery in Tribeca. "Layla", the highly acclaimed middle eastern/ Mediterranean restaurant was opened in November 1995. In October 1996, Myriad opened "The Steelhead Grill" for Interstate Hotels in Pittsburgh, PA. It was named one of the best new restaurants in America for 1997 by Esquire Magazine.

1997 continued the growth pattern. In February Myriad opened "Nobu London" in London's Metropolitan Hotel overlooking Hyde Park. Myriad also opened the "Brant Point Grill" in Nantucket, and "Blue Shoe Grill" in Memphis for Interstate.

1998 brought new accolades and additional restaurant operations for Myriad. Nobu London was awarded a Star by the prestigious Michelin Guide. The Wine Spectator cited Rubicon for a "Grand Award." The Coach House was opened for Interstate Hotels in Martha's Vineyard. Fall 1998 heralded the introduction of "Next Door Nobu," and "HeartBeat" in the eagerly anticipated "W" Hotel.

1999 continued the pace of rapid growth with the opening of "Earth & Ocean" for Starwood at the W Hotel in Seattle, "Icon" at the W Court in NYC and Pulse at the Sports Club LA/ NY also in NYC.

In 2000, Myriad formed a partnership with the Boca Raton Resort and Club and opened Lucca, a Tuscan Restaurant.

Drew has been the subject of major profile stories in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Magazine, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, GQ, Food And Wine, Wine Spectator, Avenue Magazine, Newsday, Cornell Magazine, Cheers, Market Watch, Nation's Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality, Tycoon Magazine, The Robb Report, New Jersey Life, and Elle. Crain's New York Business profiled Drew in their 10th Anniversary issue as one the 20 most significant personalities of the last 10 years. He has also been a featured guest host on the TV Food Network's "TV Diners", was the host of their 90-minute Thanksgiving Special program, and "Grilling With Drew." There have also been numerous appearances on television programs such as Good Morning America, "Our Home" (Lifetime Network), Good Day New York, CNBC, Charlie Rose, CNN Business Unusual, and radio appearances on WOR and WABC.

Drew's many activities include serving as a Director of the American Institute of Wine and Food, and as a guest lecturer at Cornell University, New York University, Syracuse University, New England Culinary Institute, New York Restaurant Association and The New School. He donates his time to special events for dozens of charities and special events from coast to coast. He has also participated in a "Chefs For Peace" initiative to Israel. In September 1995, he served as Honorary Co-Chairperson and Master of Ceremonies with New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman at "A Dinner of Hope" for The Starfish Foundation for Children with Aids. He repeated those roles again in September 1996 at the Governor's Mansion-- Drumthwacket. He was Co-Chair of Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation event in New York City for 1997 through 1999, and was the guest of honor at the Tourette Syndrome Association Dinner in November 1997. In 1998, he was a Co-Chair for SOS Taste of the Nation event in New Jersey, as well as the guest of honor for City Harvest. He was also the guest of honor for the American Heart Association's "Chefs With Heart" Dinner in October 1999. He is also now serving his 9th Year as Culinary Chair for the Momentum Project.