In the restaurant world, one or two big names on a young chef's resume will open a lot of doors. So, imagine how eyes widen when one gets a look at where Jennie Lorenzo has chopped garlic. Then imagine how they widen even further after seeing this face. How could she have possibly worked with some of the world's best chefs when she doesn't look old enough to drive a car? Don't let that baby face fool ya.
Born and raised in Manila, she began her culinary career at Chicago's legendary Blackbird under Paul Kahan. After two years, she moved to London to work with Marco Pierre White, helping him become the first British chef to garner three Michelin stars. While in London, she crossed town to work with Gordon Ramsay, and did the same for him.
After London, she moved back to the states to work with the much-beloved Roland Passot at La Folie in San Francisco. She remained in S.F. to joined Laurent Gras at the Fifth Floor, and then helped super couple Lissa Doumani and Hiro Sone of Napa's Terra open Ame in the St. Regis Hotel.
If all that wasn't enough, she left San Francisco to work in Tokyo at the Michelin two-star Ryugin.
Now she's back at Fifth Floor as executive chef working with Laurent Manrique. Lorenzo is behind the wheel of his Gascony-influenced menu, and she has gracefully steered it to rave reviews. We wait eagerly for someone to hand her the keys to her own menu, because this girl can drive.
