Featured Chef
Abernethy’s hosts a changing roster of Los Angeles’ Emerging Chefs for their chance to showcase the unique voices, narratives, and culinary flavors of their slice of the city. May we introduce: Chef Geter Atienza with Modern Filipino Cuisine.
Chef Geter Atienza is known for his bold flavors, charismatic energy and deep knowledge of international epicurean cuisine. He fell in love with cooking at a very young age. His mother and grandmother have always been his source of inspiration. Chef Atienza was born in Pasay, Philippines and moved with his family to the United States in 1992 at the age of seven. Growing up in Northern California, he was exposed to many different cultures by going to school in Napa Valley, taking trips to San Francisco with his mother, and eating his grandmother’s cooking at home. His love of food, spices, and California produce set up his culinary foundation.
After relocating to Los Angeles in his early 20s, Chef Atienza enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu California School of Culinary Arts. Upon graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in 2008 he excelled in an internship program at The Fig Restaurant in the Fairmont Hotel, Santa Monica. While at Fig Chef Atienza was mentored by Chef Ray Garcia. His successful internship turned into full time employment and an opportunity to develop his own culinary style.
Continuing his growth, Chef Geter relocated to Las Vegas to work at Chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro at the Venetian Hotel. Due to his success at Bouchon Bistro, Chef Atienza was promoted to Sous Chef and given the opportunity to move to New York City to be a part of the Bouchon Bakery and Café culinary management team in the Time Warner Center Columbus Circle.