Don Yamauchi

Don Yamauchi is an American chef whose career has included executive-chef positions at Carlos', Gordon, Le Français, Tribute, and casino restaurants in Detroit. In 1993, Food & Wine named him one of its Best New Chefs.[1]

Career

Yamauchi is a Chicago native of Japanese and Filipino ancestry.[2] After culinary school, he joined Carlos' in Highland Park, Illinois, where he rose from prep cook to executive chef in four years.[3] He later worked at Gordon in Chicago and at Le Français in Wheeling, Illinois. After serving as executive chef at Le Français, Yamauchi and restaurateur Phil Mott became its owners when founder Jean Banchet retired. The restaurant closed in June 2003 amid declining business.[4][2]

In January 2005, Yamauchi succeeded Takashi Yagihashi as executive chef of Tribute in Farmington Hills, Michigan.[2] He left in September 2007 to oversee Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak and Saltwater restaurants at MGM Grand Detroit.[5][6] By 2011, he was executive chef at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit.[7] In 2016, he joined Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles after working at Belterra Park in Cincinnati.[3]

In 2020, Yamauchi and his wife, Cleta, joined Debra and Jeramie Campana in opening 400 Rabbits, a Mexican-fusion restaurant on Sanibel, Florida.[8] The restaurant was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in September 2022.[9] In May 2024, the Yamauchis and a business partner acquired the Fort Collins and Loveland locations of Big City Burrito in Colorado.[10] The following year, the family acquired Cables Pub & Grill in Greeley, Colorado, with plans to rebrand it as Big City Roadhouse.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Every Food & Wine Best New Chef Ever, Since 1988". Food & Wine. May 16, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Yahoo.
  2. 1 2 3 Rector, Sylvia (December 28, 2004). "Tribute chooses its new chef: Don Yamauchi". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 3E. Archived from the original on February 23, 2026. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 Mahe, George (March 17, 2016). "Renowned Chef Don Yamauchi on Cooking, Culinary Awards, and Casinos". St. Louis Magazine. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  4. ↑ Keilman, John (June 26, 2003). "Le Francais owners set to say au revoir". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 23, 2026. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Spratling, Cassandra (July 27, 2007). "Tribute executive chef to take a gamble at MGM". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on February 23, 2026. Retrieved August 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina Announce Culinary Teams for Signature Restaurants at MGM Grand Detroit Opening Oct. 2, 2007" (Press release). MGM Mirage. August 28, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  7. ↑ Maynard, Micki (April 20, 2011). "Chicago Chefs Gather for Japan". WBEZ. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  8. ↑ Holiday, Reese (October 30, 2020). "Two New Restaurants Coming Soon to Sanibel". Santiva Chronicle. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  9. ↑ Walton, Chelle Koster (June 18, 2023). "The 5 Best Reasons To Visit Sanibel-Captiva Right Now". TravelAwaits. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  10. ↑ Jensen, Dave (October 21, 2024). "Local Burrito Chain In Colorado Announces New Changes". 99.9 The Point. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  11. ↑ Porter, Katie (August 15, 2025). "Rebrand Coming from New Owners of Greeley Business". What Now Denver. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
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