For over two decades, Chef Danielle Leoni has dedicated her life to understanding the balance of flavor, tradition and sustainability to create a one of a kind culinary experiences.

Press & Accolades

 

Slow Food Netherlands Feature: Chef Danielle Leoni visits Wilhelminadorp, NL to harvest oysters

Photo: Merel Nolet

 
 
“As a Chef, I have the opportunity
to influence how we all think about food.
It’s by sharing the story of our food,
cooking and eating it that leads to
lasting sustainable change.”
— Chef Danielle Leoni
 

Dumplin’ & Boiled Plantain in with in Season Seafood

PBS NewsHour, “Tipping Point: Fisheries on the Brink”

Asian Seafood Improvement Collaborative (ASIC), Ambassador

Good Fish Foundation, Ambassador

James Beard Foundation Smart Catch, Chef Council Board Member

Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Blue Ribbon Task Force, Member

Sunday Edit, How to Become a Sustainability Activist in Your Daily Life

Chef’s Manifiesto, Sustainable Sundays UN SDG’s Recipe Feature

Chef’s Manifesto, UN World’s Ocean Conference Ocean Recipes

Fabulous Arizona, Fab Eco Trendsetters

Unstoppable Podcast, Danielle Leoni on How to Overcome Change and Achieve Your Dream

Phoenix New Times Best of 2021, Food & Drink: Best Hero

Arizona Capitol Times, 2021 Leader of the Year

Purina, A Life Well Fed

Front Doors Magazine,“The Caring Chef”

TimeOut Magazine, Top 7 Female Chefs Across the US

James Beard Foundation, ”A Place at the Table” Cookbook

James Beard Foundation, Mentor

NPR, “One Year Later: How COVID-19 Changed Independent Phoenix Restaurants”

Arizona Department of Game and Fish, Certificate of Commendation

Arizona Desert Shrimp, Ambassador

James Beard Foundation Smart Catch, Chef Council Board Member

Phoenix New Times, Phoenix's Finest Female Chefs Are Gathering to Discuss Desert Food Dynamics

James Beard Foundation Best Chef in the Southwest Nomination

James Beard Foundation, Taste America Phoenix, Local All Star Chef

James Beard Foundation, Culinary Lab, Host

NPR, “Prevent a Total Collapse: Arizona Restaurants Ask Ducey for Action”

Arizona Capitol Times, “Ducey Delays Evictions for Small Businesses” 

Arizona Republic, Op-Ed, “Arizona’s Small Independent Restaurants Need a Lifeline. Will Governor Ducey Help Us?”

Edible Phoenix, Danielle Leoni - Beyond the Plate Hero

NPR, Arizona Small Restaurants to Gov. Ducey: We Need Your Help”

ABC 15, Small businesses say executive order halting evictions will help them stay afloat” 

NPR, “Business as Unusual: Phoenix Restaurants Coping with a Crisis”

Arizona Republic, “Coronavirus shuttered her business. Now she’s Arizona restaurants’ fiercest champion.” 

NPR, “Arizona Chef Danielle Leoni: ‘We Already Struggle as Small Independent Operators. Now, We’re Beyond this Point of Hope.”

Arizona Republic, “Chef Danielle Leoni said goodbye to her Phoenix restaurant, Breadfruit – maybe for good.”

Arizona Small Restaurant Coalition, Founder

Phoenix New Times,  Table Scraps “Know the Story of Your Food, Says Chef Danielle Leoni”

Fish Wise, “Fishing for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in the Seafood Industry”

Phoenix New Times, “7 Stories Celebrating Women in the Phoenix Food World”

Arizona Republic, Dominic Armato’s 100 Essential Phoenix Restaurants

Samantha Brown’s Place’s to Love, Feature

The Empty Nesters Kitchen, “Chef Danielle Leoni: Global Sustainability Activist and Conduit for Change”

Devour Culinary Classic, Sustainability Judge

Devour the World 2020, Featured Chef

Waste Management Sustainability Forum, Facilitator 

Your Life Arizona, Monthly Guest Chef

Urban Farm Podcast, “Danielle Leoni on Serving Up Good Food”

NPR, “Phoenix Chef Danielle Leoni Is a Champion of Sustainable Seafood – In the Desert

Our Daily Planet, James Beard Chef Danielle Leoni on Cooking Sustainably and Bringing Joy with Food

James Beard Foundation Awards Gala, Featured Chef

James Beard Foundation, Windstar Cruise, Celebrity Chef 

James Beard House, Dinner, “Smart Catch: Sustainable Seafood Celebration”

James Beard Foundation, Blog Feature “How the Kitchen Taught Me to Speak Out”

James Beard Foundation, Featured Chef, BITE NW Arkansas

James Beard Foundation, Taste America Phoenix, Local All Star Chef

Arizona Republic, “How a Phoenix Chef is Pushing Congress to Make Sure Seafood is Sustainable”

Voyage Phoenix feature, “Meet Danielle Leoni of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Downtown Phoenix” 

Bite Magazine feature, “Danielle Leoni and Dwayne Allen of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar”

Arizona Republic, “These 3 Metro Phoenix Restaurant are Being Recognized as Leaders in Sustainability”

Roland’s Food Court podcast interview, “Sara Brito with Chef Danielle Leoni”

Coffee and A Mike podcast interview 

Edible Phoenix feature, “Sustainable Seafood in the Desert” 

Java Magazine feature, “Chef Danielle Leoni Brings Sustainability to the Plate”

Your Life Arizona, Channel 3, Monthly Guest Chef

UnPlated feature, “From Vegan Yoga Instructor to Celebrated Chef & Advocate for Seafood Sustainability”

The Native Influence feature

Feed Feed feature, Pepper Shrimp

Arizona Republic, “The Breadfruit & Rum Bar Chef Uses Cactus in Jamaican Dish”

Arizona Department of Tourism “This is the Place” featured chef

Phoenix New Times, “The Breadfruit’s Danielle Leoni Scoops Up Fresh James Beard Honor”

Phoenix Business Journal, 40 under 40 Award

Phoenix New Times, “A Behind the Scenes Look at 4 Food Artisans You Don’t Want to Miss”

James Beard Foundation, Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner

James Beard Foundation, Smart Catch, Leader Designation 

James Beard House, Dinner with Chef Alfred Ashish

James Beard Foundation Taste America Phoenix, Reception Chef

James Beard Foundation, Inaugural Seafood Summit, Host

James Beard Foundation, Women in Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellowship 

Food Network, Chopped, Contestant

Your Life Arizona, Channel 3, Monthly Guest Chef

Arizona Republic, “Why You Can Trust One Phoenix Restaurant’s Seafood Claims” 
Arizona Republic, 12 Best Downtown Phoenix Restaurants
Arizona Republic, Who’s Next: 40 under 40 in Food, Award 
James Beard Foundation, Food Summit and Leadership Conference, Scholarship Recipient & Participant
Maya’s Farm & Pillsbury Vineyard, Night on the Farm Dinner, Featured Chef / Volunteer
The James Beard Foundation, Smart Catch, National Pilot participant 
The James Beard Foundation, Smart Catch Seal
The James Beard Foundation, Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change, Alumni
Local First Arizona, Mentor to women owned small business start ups
Arizona State University Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, ASU PREPPED, Mentor & Speaker
St. Mary’s Food Bank, Community Kitchen, Volunteer & Guest Instructor
Devour Restaurant Coalition, Mediator 
Community Food Connections, Phoenix Public Market, Demos, Guest Chef
Devoured Culinary Classic, Gold Medal – The Breadfruit & Rum Bar
Devoured Culinary Classic, Gold Medal – Leoni’s Focaccia
Grape Arizona Wine Charity Event, Rotary International, Featured Chef and Donor
The Arizona Republic, “Devour 2017: Dominic Armato’s Favorite Dishes”  - Leoni’s Focaccia, The Breadfruit & Rum Bar
Arizona Republic, “Top 10 Downtown Phoenix Restaurants”, Dominic Armato
Phoenix Magazine, “101 Things We Love About the Valley” – Leoni’s Focaccia
Phoenix Magazine, “Where to Eat in 2017”- Feature, Leoni’s Focaccia
Arizona Foothills Magazine, Best of the Valley: Leoni’s Focaccia “Best Sandwich Shop”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Best Date Spot”
Arizona Republic, honoree “Who’s Next: 32 Foodies Spice Up Arizona’s Restaurant Culinary Scene”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Best Seafood”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Spiciest Dining”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Best Craft Cocktails”
Your Life Arizona, Channel 3, Monthly Guest Chef