Eric Villegas

Chef Eric Villegas began his culinary career after studying liberal arts at Michigan State University. He then moved to Paris, France to attend Anne Willan's LaVarenne Ecole de Cuisine and Steven Spurrier's Academie du Vin. After two years of culinary experience in Lyon, France, Chef Villegas returned to the States to continue his studies at the New England Culinary Institute, where he specialized in the service aspect of hospitality, running the school's flagship dining room. He opened his...See more

Chef Eric Villegas began his culinary career after studying liberal arts at Michigan State University. He then moved to Paris, France to attend Anne Willan's LaVarenne Ecole de Cuisine and Steven Spurrier's Academie du Vin. After two years of culinary experience in Lyon, France, Chef Villegas returned to the States to continue his studies at the New England Culinary Institute, where he specialized in the service aspect of hospitality, running the school's flagship dining room. He opened his first restaurant in 1987, Dusty's Wine Bar in Okemos, Michigan, merging his classical French training with his love of local food. In 1995, the Zagat guide honored him for his regionally inspired menu. Later that year he sold the restaurant to his partners and opened his namesake restaurant, Restaurant Villegas in Okemos, Michigan. Eric's debut on television came in 2001. With the show, he found a new venue to share his culinary passion and zest for life. See less