Karen Akunowicz

Few chefs bring as much passion, creativity, and relentless drive to the kitchen as Karen Akunowicz. Dubbed “Boston’s Queen of Pasta,” she is the Chef/Owner of the critically acclaimed Fox & the Knife Enoteca, Bar Volpe Ristorante, and Fox Pasta Company. A 2018 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Northeast, Karen has been recognized for her modern take on Italian cuisine, earning national praise from Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appétit, and The New York Times. A fan favorite on Top Chef and a rising star on Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, Karen is as dynamic on-screen as she is in the kitchen. She is also well known for her live cooking demonstrations and fireside chats. Chef Karen Akunowicz is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Karen Akunowicz’s fees.

Want to book Karen Akunowicz for an event?

Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-510-6607 to book Karen Akunowicz for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.

The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.

From Line Cook to Culinary Powerhouse

Karen Akunowicz’s journey to culinary stardom began in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, where she cut her teeth as a line cook at Ten Tables. It was there that she first experienced the fast-paced world of professional kitchens, quickly proving herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her passion for Italian cuisine took root at Via Matta in Boston’s Back Bay, where she fell in love with the artistry of handmade pasta. Determined to refine her craft, she packed up and moved to Modena, Italy, spending a year immersed in regional Italian cooking as a chef at L’Avian Blu Enoteca.

Building a Culinary Legacy

Upon returning to the U.S., Karen continued to evolve as a chef, working alongside James Beard Award winner Ana Sortun at Oleana, mastering the spice-driven flavors of the Middle East. She then took the helm as Executive Chef at the beloved Myers+Chang, where she infused bold flavors and her signature flair into Chinese, Taiwanese, and Southeast Asian cuisine. Her work at the restaurant earned her national recognition, including a four-star review from The Boston Globe and a spot on Boston Magazine’s Best Chefs list.

Then in 2018, Karen won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast. Shortly after, Karen took a leap of faith she had been planning for awhile and opened her first solo venture, Fox & the Knife, a South Boston enoteca inspired by her time in Italy. The restaurant was an immediate sensation, named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Restaurants in America. Riding on the success of Fox & the Knife, she expanded her empire with Bar Volpe, a Southern Italian-inspired pastificio (pasta shop) and restaurant, and later launched Fox Pasta Company, bringing her signature handmade pastas and sauces to home cooks nationwide. In 2024, she added Fox & Flight to her growing portfolio, bringing her Italian culinary vision to Logan Airport in Boston.

A Star On & Off the Screen

Karen’s charisma and talent have made her a standout on television. She became a fan favorite on Top Chef Season 13 and later returned for Top Chef: All-Stars. She has also showcased her competitive fire on Food Network’s Tournament of Champions and has appeared as a judge on Top Chef Canada, America’s Test Kitchen: Next Generation, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Beat Bobby Flay.

Named one of Marie Claire’s “21 Badass Women Changing the Food World,” Karen continues to push boundaries, both in the kitchen and beyond. She is the author of Crave: Bold Recipes That Make You Want Seconds, which was awarded the 2023 Cookbook of the Year by Readable Feast and quickly became an Amazon bestseller.

Beyond her restaurants and television presence, Karen is a passionate advocate for childhood hunger relief, working with No Kid Hungry and Share Our Strength. She also mentors young chefs, ensuring the next generation continues to innovate and thrive in the industry.

To hire Karen Akunowicz for an event, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with the proposed event date, location, audience size, event format and program goals. Karen Akunowicz is available for corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, private events, workshops, fireside chats and virtual programs.

After receiving your request, a Mollie Plotkin Group booking agent will review Karen Akunowicz’s availability, discuss the event details and get back to you within 48 hours with next steps for securing Karen Akunowicz for your program.

The cost to book Karen Akunowicz depends on the event date, location, format, audience size and scope of the appearance. Karen Akunowicz’s speaking fee starts at $32,500. Speaking fees may vary for keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events, corporate meetings and virtual programs.

For the most accurate Karen Akunowicz booking fee, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with your event details. Our team will help confirm availability, pricing and the best format for your event.

Known for her infectious energy and no-nonsense approach to cooking, Karen Akunowicz is an engaging fireside chat speaker who inspires audiences with her journey from a line cook to a James Beard Award-winning chef and entrepreneur. Along with live cooking demos, she speaks on leadership, resilience, culinary creativity, and the art of reinvention. Her topics include:

• The Art of Reinvention – Lessons from the kitchen on how to pivot, grow, and take risks in your career.
• Building a Brand in the Culinary World – How to develop a unique voice and carve out a space in a competitive industry.
• From Passion to Plate – The story behind Fox & the Knife and turning dreams into reality.
• Women in the Kitchen – Breaking barriers and thriving in a male-dominated industry.
• Why Pasta is Life – The cultural and emotional impact of Italian cuisine.

Want to Bring Karen Akunowicz to your next event?

Karen’s cooking demonstrations and fireside chats bring humor, passion, and real-world insights that leave audiences feeling inspired and empowered. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-510-6607 to inquire about booking Karen for your next corporate event, private gathering, or fireside chat.