Cooking American Caribbean Style, Key West Mile Marker 0: American Chef

Introducing Chef Michael Fahey; former certified executive chef and culinary educator, fellow of the American Academy of Chefs; originally from Chicago, Illinois; he has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. Chef Michael has had the experiences in most types of foodservice operations as Executive Chef, Food and Beverage Director, General Manager and consultant.

Most recently worked in Key West for Key West Cooking School and Small Chef at Large Catering providing culinary education and world class catering at the Hemmingway House, the Little White House (with former White House Chef Walter Schieb) and Sunset Key along with many other private and public venues.

Chef Michael has provided his world class cuisine in New York City, Palm Beach, Cincinnati and his home in Western North Carolina. Chef Michael produced a cookbook in 2008, Cooking American Style, Up on Cedar Mountain, featuring a collection of his recipes, poetry and photography. He has worked for former VP Dan Quayle, Governors’ in North Carolina, New York and Florida, Donald Trump, Tina Turner, Neil Young, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet and thousands more. Chef Michael was Chef de Cuisine for the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament for 8 years and Executive Chef/F&B Director for private clubs and resort hotels.

Chef Fahey established the Blue Reef Hospitality, LLC to provide the Florida Keys catering, Key West Cooking School and hospitality consulting. Blue Reef Catering and Key West Cooking School operated in Key West until 2019. During that time he was F&B Manager/Executive Chef at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort, along with consulting for the Florida Keys Community College to help establish their Culinary Arts program.

Chef Michael had bought a cabin in Sapphire, NC while he was F&B Director/Executive Chef at the Cedar Creek Racquet Club in Cashiers, NC a position he held for 5 years prior to relocating to Key West. Ready to get back to his mountains, Chef Michael moved back to North Carolina during the Covid crisis.

Always an advocate for education, Chef Michael accepted the position at Brevard College as Executive Chef. Where Chef Michael will pursue helping to solidify the Food Service Program and who knows maybe start some cooking classes to help people learn more about food and cooking.