Formerly the Executive Chef for the Restaurant at the Getty, Chef Matt Lee has a quiet passion for culinary integrity and innovation. His exquisite eye for detail is evident in everything from his careful flavor composition to the stunning and playful visual presentation of each element on the plate. At 917, his facility with fresh, locally caught fish and other seafood complements his mastery of more traditional steak, chicken, and pork offerings, which he tends to balance with a bright vegetable accompaniment.
Chef Lee began his career at the age of 16 prepping seafood and vegetables at a local dining destination. After high school he attended the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena and went straight into fine dining, as Sous Chef at the historic and award-winning Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas, California. It was there where he first fell in love with cooking seasonally and locally. Chef Lee was also inspired by his grandfather, who opened a restaurant in New York with friends soon after emigrating from China, and who later always tended a bountiful backyard garden in Los Angeles — as Chef Lee also does.
When it comes to purchasing seafood, he says that quality and sustainability would be the most important factors. “I want to make sure the product is fresh and that I’m not using a product that is being overfished or is hurting the eco-system in any way. When it comes to farmed ingredients, I want to make sure they are using the best practices possible.”
Chef Lee loves cooking crab at home and his favorite menu at the restaurant is Hamachi. When it comes to cooking seafood, he recommends to never overcook it.
Restaurant 917 @The Porsche Experience Center
19800 S. Main Street
Carson, CA 90745
restaurant917.com