About Chef Ali Barker

Ali Barker is widely known from his days as Executive Chef opening New York City's Union Square Cafe, a restaurant that redefined American cuisine. From there, he opened his own restaurant with his wife, Marcie, called Piperade, in downtown Cleveland. Piperade was recognized by Bon Appetit Magazine as one of the nation's Best New Restaurants. He was also cited by Newsweek Magazine, The New York Times and USA Today as one of the first to host a Chef's table in his restaurant kitchen, spawning a national trend. Both Nation's Restaurant News and Cook's Magazine recognized him as a "rising star of American Cuisine." He has been a favorite Guest Chef at the James Beard Foundation, having appeared on five occasions, and was a featured Chef at the James Beard Award Ceremony Reception in 1995. The Barkers were recognized with a Northern Ohio Live Award of Achievement for contributing to the quality of life in resurgent downtown Cleveland.

Following Piperade, the Barkers ran The Bistro on the Boulevard in the Lake Michigan resort town of St. Joseph. While there, they cultivated relationships with area farmers and wineries, creating a dining culture that would become an integral part of the community. The Bistro was recognized by The Wine Spectator with an Award of Excellence, and in 2009 Ali Barker was honored with a James Beard Foundation Award nomination for Best Chef: Great Lakes.

The Barkers now reside in Chagrin Falls, with their sons, Henry and Nick.