Albert Valentine was never going to be a chef who blends into the kitchen. The Toronto-born celebrity chef and TV personality has turned that visibility into a company. ChefsTable, which he founded in 2021, stages private dinners, tasting menus, and luxury events from its Dubai base, and it now has offices in four countries.
Losing the Restaurants, Keeping the Cooking
Valentine's route to Dubai ran through Toronto and Miami, and through a hard stretch during Covid, when he lost his restaurants. Instead of rebuilding another fixed venue, he stepped out from behind the pass and into the spotlight. He saw a gap in the market for dining built around personality and occasion rather than a single address.
ChefsTable launched in 2021 under his hospitality group, Project Valentine. The idea was to combine his love for food, his personality, and his ability to throw a good party into one business, and to rethink what fine dining and supper clubs can be.
Dinners Designed as Events
ChefsTable's work runs in three lanes: luxury events and activations, private dinners, and tasting menus. The company describes its style as avant-garde, with each dinner built as a full experience rather than a table booking. It is a format that travels, which is why the business has been able to grow city by city instead of restaurant by restaurant.
Four Offices, Three More Markets on the List
As of 2026, ChefsTable has expanded to offices in four countries: Dubai, Miami, Monaco, and Toronto. The next planned stops are New York, Singapore, and Italy.
A TV Special Called Big Man, Small World
Valentine is also heading back to the screen. His first standalone TV special, Big Man, Small World, is in development and pre-production. Named for his 6 foot 9 frame, the show follows him as he chases a Michelin star, parties with celebrities, and tells other people's stories through the world of food.
"What started as a simple way to do what I love on my own terms has turned me into a globally recognized business and chef," Valentine says. "My philosophy is simple: every bite a journey, every dish a discovery."
Learn more about ChefsTable.
