Manoli Katsanevas

Chef-Owner, Manoli’s, Greek Small Plates Restaurant

When his Greek immigrant uncle Nick Katsanevas, along with his sister and her husband,started the first Crown Burger in Utah in 1978, it set in motion a career trajectory for Manoli Katsanevas that would one day lead to opening his own restaurant in Salt Lake City. The early influences began at home when his mother would cook traditional Greek foods like spanakopita, dolmathes and pasticcio for huge family gatherings. At home, he learned a lot about food from his mother.His father and another uncle started the second Crown Burger, and when Katsanevas was 13 he started working in the family business. He loved the restaurant business then and knew in high school an office job wasn’t for him - he wanted to cook and maybe own his own restaurant.

Katsanevas enrolled at Salt Lake Community College’s Culinary Institute after graduating from Skyline High School and by 2009 earned his associate of applied science degree. An adherent to the “tough love is the best love” way of learning, he recalls being challenged by culinary associate professor Leslie Seiferle. Shereminded him of his family in theindustry as someone hard working, skilled and very nice and supportive. His time at SLCC helped Katsanevas “hone” his path in the industry at a price he could afford. Helearnedthe fundamentals and basics that heuses in his career every day.

In 2015, after adding places like Fleming’s, Smith’s Bistro and Caffe Nicheto his resume, Katsanevas opened Manoli’s, located on 900 South in Salt Lake City. His approach is described as a reinterpretation of traditional Greek cuisine, with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. The food and dining experience is racking up awards and accolades, from Zagat and Time magazine, to multiple local review sites and periodicals. He loves being in the kitchen and is still there several times a week. Katsanevas, still only 30, values hard work and advises others who are contemplating their own career paths. Manoli believes that passion leads to success.