Chef Mario Amaral grew up in Southern California before joining the U.S. Coast Guard in 2001. Mario was always fascinated by food and cooking, so upon departure from the military in 2005, he moved to Las Vegas to attend Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. From culinary school, Mario opened Red Rock Resort and was exposed to multiple kitchens from buffets to banquets in a hotel setting. Chef Mario has also won many culinary competitions, including round 1 of Iron Chef Bellagio, BOH Brawl, and the Las Vegas DICED competition. After helping open and improve restaurants around the US he has landed back home in California at Savage Chef.

Awards

Iron Chef Bellagio Round 1 Winner

Las Vegas Diced Competition

Iron City Mac n Cheese Festival Winner (Birmingham, AL)

Steel Chef Competition (Portsmouth, NH)

www.savagechef.com