In Aruba! Our happy place!
Mike and Annette
Originally from Warwick, Rhode Island, I moved to the Minneapolis area where I began my career on the ground floor, working as a line cook. It was there that I discovered my passion and fell in love with food and the culinary industry.
I then moved into a Sous Chef position at a Minneapolis hotel. This is where I honed my skills under the watchful eye of the Executive Chef, who was also a former culinary instructor. Eventually, I became the Executive Chef, taking the reins from my mentor.
From there, I continued my career leading the kitchens of various establishments, including my own full-service catering company. I transitioned into a corporate chef and taught hundreds of cooking and knife skill classes, from Alaska to Hawaii, Florida to Maine and everywhere in between. I also was featured on the main stage at several wine and food events across the country. I appeared in many local and national TV spots.
Currently I continue to share my passion for cooking and teaching and I would love to help you discover the right tools for you and help you become the best you can be in the kitchen!
307 reviews averaging 5.0 stars
Currently offline
CategoryKitchen Expert
Customers helped7,871
Current locationSpring, TX
BirthdayAugust 5
Favorite beerFocal Banger
My QualificationChef - 30 years
Favorite knife8" Chef knife
Home townPlymouth MN
4.98 / 5 stars
5
302 (98%)
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5 (2%)
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Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Marie
Marie's experience with Mike
It's very hard to find reliable information on the internet that doesn't have alternative motives. Review sites have a tendency to review things based on who sponsors them and even celebrity sponsors get paid for their likeness. This experience involved talking to a person with a catalogue of information at their disposal who also used the products and could help narrow down what I needed. I love the concept and the person I was connected with. I will definitely use this again.
Verified Review | Submitted on Sep 15, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Dena Felper
Dena Felper's experience with Mike
I've always purchased toaster ovens that were in the $30.00 range and they didn't last (I use them a lot) and they didn't cook evenly. It was time to invest in something more reliable. I knew what brand I wanted and Mike still recommended a few options for me, just to make sure I was purchasing what I really need. Mike considered what I would be using it for, the size I need, and my budget. He was knowledgeable of the product and able to answer all of my questions. I love that he has so much experience as a chef and I highly recommend Mike for all of your kitchen needs!
Verified Review | Submitted on Sep 1, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Jason
Jason's experience with Mike
I needed help picking out a chef’s knife. I’m a serious home hobby cook and want to take it to the next level. He gave me several options that were all excellent and took the time to really understand what I was looking for. He was very personable and the conversation was enjoyable. By far the best service you could receive if you are not face to face.
Verified Review | Submitted on Aug 31, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Liz
Mike was great!
This made shopping for cookware so much easier! Mike took into consideration my needs and made great recommendations. His finds were well though out and the explanations from Annette made it easy to follow on with questions to tailor the recommendations even further. I would definitely recommend and will probably use again in the future.
Verified Review | Submitted on Jun 16, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Jeri
Excellent First Experience!
I stumbled upon Curated through a Google search when trying to find a new blender that would handle items like smoothies and soups better than my standard $30 countertop model now that we had started drinking/eating more of them. I was matched with Mike and he was amazing! He was responsive and accommodating to my schedule. He asked relevant questions which allowed him to make some great recommendations. When I made a choice and found the same item on sale on another site he was even kind enough to price match it for me. Mike has ensured that I will be back to Curated for all of my relevant needs in the future as we buy a new home at the end of this year and beyond.
Verified Review | Submitted on May 24, 2024
Purchased
Braun TriForce Power Blender
$299.95
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Johnny
Mike was awesome!
Great first experience with Curated because Mike was awesome! He was very responsive, asked good questions to clarify my needs and wants, then selected several options that fit well with what I was looking for. He was very personable and friendly, and made the experience feel like I was working with someone who genuinely wanted what was going to make me happiest!
Verified Review | Submitted on May 3, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Felicia
Amazing!
Mike was very responsive to my litany of questions. I had very little clue what I was looking for at the beginning of my search, but Mike was able to help me understand all of the terminology listed on the products. He was very informative and a great teacher! I now have an understanding of what to look for in a knife and what certain terms mean.
Verified Review | Submitted on Apr 14, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Camilla
Camilla's experience with Mike
Mike & Annette were my "kitchen experts" and were professional and courteous. They had choices for me to look at in no time at all. I even asked them if I could purchase at a later date because I didn't have the money right then to pay for the item I chose. They said no problem and got back to me on the date I requested them to do so.
Verified Review | Submitted on Apr 13, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Laura
Very Pleased
Mike was very helpful. He was informative and willing to to do further research if there were other pans I was interested in. He was excellent with communication and follow-up. I would recommend his assistance to my friends.
Verified Review | Submitted on Sep 19, 2024
Expert: Mike and Annette
Reviewer: Ann
Interested and knowledgeable - a big help!
I've been looking for a new set of cookware after buying a set that had good reviews but has more limitations than benefits for my use. I found Curate through a Google search, and within an hour, Mike and Annette helped me find what looks to be just what I wanted. They listened to my needs and what features I wanted and presented me with three very viable choices. Easy, pleasant experience! Thank you both!
Verified Review | Submitted on Apr 4, 2024
Mike and Annette
5.0 from 307 reviews
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