Christina Machamer

Christina Machamer grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and found her way into restaurant kitchens at sixteen. After stepping away from pre-law, she apprenticed under chef Larry Forgione at An American Place, studied at Forest Park Community College, and went on to earn her culinary degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park — graduating at the top of her class in 2008.

That same year, she won Season 4 of Fox's Hell's Kitchen, setting a record with nine challenge wins and earning Gordon Ramsay's respect above all other contestants. Her prize was a head chef position at Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood — a kitchen that earned a Michelin Star in the 2009 guide.

From there, Christina joined the opening team at Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Beverly Hills, then traveled north to study the wine industry landscape, becoming a certified sommelier along the way. Napa Valley had her full attention!

In 2011, she made it permanent — relocating to the valley and joining B Cellars in Calistoga, where she spent years building a cuisine rooted in the marriage of food and wine. Clandestine Table is the next chapter: intimate, seasonal dinners that celebrate the extraordinary producers of Napa and the Bay Area.