Our History
How We Got Here
Chef Brad Kilgore was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, where his passion for the culinary arts first took root. At a young age, he attended the renowned Broadmoor Technical Center before continuing his education at Johnson & Wales University. He credits his earliest interest in cooking to afternoons spent at home while his parents worked — his father as an engineer and his mother in the medical field — deciding that if he wanted something worth eating, he would simply have to make it himself.
His career accelerated following a move to Chicago, where he worked at two three-star Michelin-rated institutions: Alinea under Chef Grant Achatz and L2O under Chef Laurent Gras. As Executive Sous Chef, Kilgore opened EPIC in Chicago, which food critic John Mariani named one of Esquire Magazine's Best New Restaurants of 2010.
In 2011, Kilgore relocated to Miami, joining Azul at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Under his leadership, Azul was awarded five stars by Forbes Travel Guide in 2013, becoming the first restaurant in Florida's history to achieve that distinction. He then joined the St. Regis Bal Harbour as Executive Chef under Jean-Georges Vongerichten at J&G Grill, where his team earned four stars from the Miami Herald, a feat no restaurant had accomplished in years.
In 2015, Kilgore opened his first restaurant, Alter, in Miami's art-driven Wynwood district. Built around a progressive American menu with a focus on Floridian ingredients, Alter offered an exquisite 15-course tasting menu and earned national and international acclaim. Its wine program ranked in the Top 100 in America by Wine Enthusiast multiple years running. Alter received four stars from the Miami Herald, making Kilgore the only chef in the publication's history to earn that honor twice. The restaurant was named Restaurant of the Year by Eater Miami and was featured twice in San Pellegrino's World's 50 Best as a Diner's Discovery. Kilgore himself was named Best New Chef in America by Food & Wine Magazine and received multiple James Beard Foundation nominations, including Rising Star Chef of the Year and Best Chef South. Alter was also named a Best New Restaurant of the Year by both Esquire Magazine and Eater National.
He went on to open Brava by Brad Kilgore, a contemporary Italian restaurant within Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center, followed by two restaurants developed in partnership with Craig Robins and the Design District: Kaido, a Japanese-inspired cocktail lounge featuring acclaimed mixologist Nico de Soto, a World's 50 Best Bars honoree, and Ember, a wood-fired American bistro.
In 2022, following the pandemic, Kilgore launched Kilgore Hospitality Group with a vision for national and international expansion.
Where We Are Going
As Culinary Director and Partner, Chef Kilgore currently oversees all restaurant and catering operations at the Concours Club. Verge, the club's modern American restaurant, is situated within this private members-only racetrack and resort, where he serves a world-class clientele through intimate wine dinners, daily restaurant offerings, and exceptional catering and events.
In 2024, Kilgore Hospitality Group launched its international expansion with the opening of CIMA in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A Josper oven-driven elevated steakhouse with a striking rooftop setting and world-class design, CIMA has made a significant impact on the region. Additional projects in and around San Pedro Sula are currently underway.
The next international venture is slated for 2027: OCN Resort & Residences, a boutique hotel in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. KHG has designed multiple restaurant concepts for the property, including an open-fire concept celebrating the indigenous ingredients of Oaxaca and an omakase-inspired restaurant highlighting the region's exceptional seafood.
Also in 2024, KHG partnered with the world-renowned Transamerica Pyramid Center in San Francisco, a collaboration rooted in the group's commitment to luxury hospitality and the revitalization of iconic American landmarks. Chef Kilgore has launched three concepts within the building: Cafe Sebastian, Madlab, and Ama by Brad Kilgore.
On Florida's west coast, OISE Ristorante has opened as an Itameshi steakhouse, weaving together the complementary flavors of Italian and Japanese cuisine alongside Chef Kilgore's own approach to sushi.
April 2026 marks the opening of a new chapter at Inter Miami CF's Miami Freedom Park, the stadium owned by David Beckham and brothers Jorge and Jose Mas. KHG has been collaborating with the organization since 2022 and will manage the stadium's exclusive private club experience, the NuBank Mezzanine Club.
Rosewood Private Residences, in partnership with the Related Group, has engaged Chef Kilgore to oversee all food and beverage operations and design for their first flagship private residences development. His team will lead the creation and launch of two full restaurants alongside a signature gelateria and café concept.