Christine Keff, Chef/Owner
Flying Fish and Fandango

Christine Keff launched her culinary career with a two-year apprenticeship in New York's renowned Four Seasons Restaurant under the direction of Seppi Renggli, James Beard's favorite chef. Following her Four Seasons training, Keff moved to Vienna '79 and O'Neill's before collaborating with the Project Management Group to open three New York City restaurants. Keff developed the concepts, menus and assisted in the full design and development of these unique operations. She was cited by New York Magazine for her innovative approach to regional cuisine and was featured in Bryan Miller's New York Times column and in the New York Daily News.

From 1987 to 1988, Keff traveled extensively throughout the United States and Asia, spending time in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia before relocating to Seattle where she had a vision to combine her culinary travels with a passion for Pacific Northwest ingredients.

Initially, Keff was appointed Executive Chef at McCormick and Schmick's, Seattle's classic steak and seafood house, where she oversaw their seafood grill and designed their wine and food dinners. In 1992, Keff joined Seattle's Sorrento Hotel as Executive Chef of the prestigious Hunt Club restaurant.

Achieving a lifelong ambition, Chef Christine Keff opened Flying Fish in July of 1995. Located in the burgeoning Belltown neighborhood, Keff's seafood bistro appeared in major publications across the country including the New York Times, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Wine Spectator, Decanter and Food & Wine. In March of 1999, Flying Fish received a 4-Star rating by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, sharing this award with only one other restaurant in the city. Two months later, the James Beard Foundation recognized Keff as the Best Chef in the Pacific Northwest/Hawaii. Keff has been featured on National Public Radio, CNN's On the Menu and the Food Network's Dining Around. Her powerful relationships with regional fishermen, as well as her use of global spices and local ingredients to create signature dishes, continue to bring her national attention.

Based on a lifelong love of Latin culture, Keff opened Fandango in 2000. This sleek and sophisticated neighbor to Flying Fish would represent Keff's second venture as Chef and Owner. Within only one year of its much anticipated opening, this festive and popular Latin American dining room received 3 Stars from The Seattle Times, was awarded Best Newcomer by Gourmet Magazine and has been featured in Bon Appetit and Seattle Magazine.

Keff's professional memberships include Les Dames D' Escoffier, International Association of Culinary Professionals, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, The James Beard Foundation and The Food Alliance. When Keff is not attending meetings, speaking at conferences, or teaching Latin cooking classes at Fandango, she provides time and talent to numerous fundraising groups that include the March of Dimes, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Share Our Strength and the Women's Funding Alliance.

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