Steven Molnar
Steven Molnar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Toronto |
| Alma mater | Institut Paul Bocuse |
| Occupation | Executive chef |
Steven Molnar is a Canadian chef. As the Executive Chef and partner at Quetzal in Toronto, he has been awarded a Michelin star each year since 2022.
Education and early life
Originally from Toronto,[1] Steven Molnar began working in restaurants at the age of 13.[2] He was later trained in classical French cooking at the Institut Paul Bocuse.[3]
Career
Early in his career Molnar worked at a French restaurant in Whitby, Ontario.[4] After his education, Molnar began his career working at restaurants including Nota Bene in Toronto; Brasserie le Nord in Lyon, France; and Restaurant Toqué! in Montreal. He then returned to Toronto to work at Bar Isabel and Bar Raval, before becoming the executive chef at Quetzal[3] as the restaurant reopened in 2019.[5] In 2023 Molnar earned a Michelin Star for his work as executive chef at Quetzal, a Mexican cuisine restaurant in Toronto, Canada.[6] The citation noted dishes of his including griddled blue masa tortillas with lamb barbacoa and charred maitake mushrooms in crema poblano.[7]
Molnar retained the star in 2023, 2024, and 2025.[8] In 2025 Molnar received a Best Chef Award the One Knife (Excellent) award at their annual ceremony in Milan, Italy;[9][10] and his restaurant was placed at number 11 on the San Pellegrino's list North America's 50 Best restaurants.[3] Molnar is known for using wood-fired cooking,[11] applying it to traditionally cooked Mexican food.[12][13] According to Canadian television network Flavour, he is known to “source a lot of specialty ingredients from Mexico” and “recognizes the importance and value of working with local Canadian farmers.”[4]
References
- ^ Ltd, Kostuch Media (March 5, 2020). "Quetzal Welcomes New Head Chef".
- ^ "The Michelin star journey of Quetzal chef Steven Molnar - Streets Of Toronto". October 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Quetzal | North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 | North America's 50 Best Restaurants". 50 Best Restaurants.
- ^ a b munoz, dylan (March 24, 2023). "Get To Know Toronto's Mexican Michelin Star Restaurant Quetzal".
- ^ "New head chef announced at Grant van Gameren's Quetzal". March 3, 2020.
- ^ "Where Quetzal's Steven Molnar Goes in Toronto". MICHELIN Guide.
- ^ Kaminer, Michael. "Toronto Has Long Been a Foodie Haven—Now It's Got the Michelin Cachet to Prove It". Barrons.
- ^ Star, Jillian Vieira Special to the (January 14, 2025). "Quetzal chef Steven Molnar's favourite places to eat and drink in Toronto — including the Japanese restaurant with 'one of the best desserts in the city'". Toronto Star.
- ^ Cua, Raymond (October 13, 2025). "From Toronto to Milan: The journey of a Toronto chef at the Best Chef Awards".
- ^ "Steven Molnar".
- ^ "QUETZAL - Hollywood Authentic". August 28, 2024.
- ^ Star, Max Richler Special to the (July 13, 2025). "Toronto's barbecue revival: five restaurants where chefs are mastering the flame". Toronto Star.
- ^ "Michelin chefs pick Toronto's best new restaurants: Steve Molnar of Quetzal - Streets Of Toronto". July 28, 2023.