ABOUT

Michelin-starred chef. Restaurateur. Founder of 86 Hospitality.

Chef Michael Collantes has spent more than two decades in some of the most respected kitchens in the world. He trained alongside Wolfgang Puck, Joël Robuchon, Eric Ripert and Masa Takayama, and held culinary leadership roles with Levy Restaurants, MGM Grand, ARIA and The Ritz-Carlton before leading the opening of Park at the Lotus Hotel in Honolulu.

In 2021 he opened Soseki Modern Omakase in Winter Park, Florida: ten seats, a menu written by the seasons, and Japanese technique applied to the produce of Central Florida's farms. Within a year Soseki earned a MICHELIN star, and it has held that star every year since 2022. Sushi Saint, Orlando's first temaki bar, followed in 2023 and was awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand months after opening. In 2024 he returned to Japan to train with the Gohan Society under Chef Shin Takagi of Zeniya.

Today Michael leads 86 Hospitality, a restaurant group and consultancy behind Soseki, Sushi Saint, Perla's Pizza, Nomikai by Sushi Saint at ICON Park and the forthcoming Shy Tyger. He partners with hotels, developers and hospitality brands across the United States, the Middle East and Southeast Asia to create, license and elevate restaurant concepts, bringing the same standards, systems and storytelling that define his own kitchens.

Selected Consulting

Watr at 1 Hotel South Beach — Reconceived the rooftop restaurant and menu for its post-pandemic relaunch, a $25M operation in 2023.

Kaimana Beach, Dubai — Created the culinary program for a Hawaiian-inspired beach club on J1 Beach, opened in 2024.

The Finn, Houston — Culinary consultant to the chef-driven food hall at historic Jones on Main.

On Screen

Finalist on Morimoto's Sushi Master, with appearances on Food Network's Guy's Grocery Games and Beat Bobby Flay, and features in the MICHELIN Guide, Forbes and the Orlando Sentinel.

A man in a navy blue shirt and beige pants standing outdoors among green plants, holding a container, with a modern white building and trees in the background on a sunny day.
A chef wearing glasses and a white uniform preparing food in a kitchen with a dark background and natural lighting.
Gourmet plated dish with shredded meat, fresh green herbs, edible flower petals, and pale yellow broth in a white bowl
Japanese sushi platter with assorted sashimi, ceramic sake bottles, black teapot, cups, and wooden barrel on a dining table
Assorted sushi nigiri on a black plate with wasabi and pickled ginger, surrounded by edamame, tartare, and salad dishes
A chef in a white uniform working behind a wooden counter in a dimly lit kitchen or restaurant.

QUESTIONS? LET’S CHAT.

GET IN TOUCH