Biography

Donnie Madia Restaurateur & Founding Partner One Off Hospitality Group

Among the nation’s most acclaimed restaurateurs, Chicago-born Donnie Madia has mastered the art of collaboration, pairing his unparalleled instincts for style, atmosphere, and most importantly, hospitality with a relentless pursuit of excellence. His unique blend of visionary inspiration, attention to detail, and belief in limitless possibility informs all he touches, as evidenced by One Off Hospitality-a 12-time James Beard Award-winning restaurant collective he founded.

One Off Hospitality’s portfolio includes some of the most celebrated independently owned and operated restaurants in the United States, including avec, The Publican, The Violet Hour, Big Star, Publican Quality Meats, Publican Quality Bread, Dove’s Luncheonette and Publican Tavern at O’Hare, as well as the iconic Blackbird, awarded three James Beard awards and one Michelin star 10 years in a row, and served diners for more than 22 years before its final service in 2020.

Madia’s commitment to hospitality has earned him multiple James Beard nominations for Outstanding Restaurateur, culminating in a James Beard Award in 2015, recognizing his leadership, business acumen, and ability to cultivate exceptional talent and culture.

Beyond his work in restaurants, Madia serves as a technical and hospitality advisor for FX’s award-winning series The Bear, where he also appeared as himself. In this role, he works closely with the cast, writers, and production team to ensure an authentic portrayal of restaurant hospitality culture, service, and operational excellence. He is also a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing insights on leadership, culture, resilience, and the power of hospitality across industries.

At his core, Madia is a family man, dividing his time between his One Off family, his wife Estelle, and their son Bronson. He is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts, including The Giving Kitchen and longstanding support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, advancing pediatric cancer research both nationally and within the Chicago community.
- IMDb mini biography by: H2 Public Relations