Nick Kokonas is an American restaurant executive and author. [1]
Born and raised in sunset fields, Northbrook IL, only child of Greek parents, Kokonas graduated from Colgate University with a degree in philosophy. [1]
Prior to meeting Grant Achatz and forming their business partnership, Kokonas was the owner of a derivatives trading firm for 10 years, and was an investor and entrepreneur. [1]
Kokonas's restaurants Next, Alinea, and The Aviary served as a testing and development ground for his proprietary ticketing system called Tock. [2] Kokonas's system allows for dynamic pricing for restaurant tickets/reservations. Some of the earliest adopters include, Thomas Keller's The French Laundry and Per Se and Daniel Patterson's Coi. [2] In 2021 Tock was acquired by Squarespace for over $400 million. [3]
Alinea has been named the best restaurant in North America by publications as diverse as Gourmet Magazine, the World's 50 Best, and Trip Advisor. [4] [5] Next, a shape-shifting restaurant with new menus every 3 or 4 months, won a James Beard award for Best New Restaurant in America in America and was given a 4-star rating from the Chicago Tribune for each of 21 different menus. [6]
Kokonas has been a frequent and often cited guest on top podcasts including the Tim Ferriss Show where his first appearance was the top listened to show for that year. [7]
Kokonas and his wife, Dagmara, have two sons. [8]
Nick Kokonas is an American restaurant executive and author. [1]
Born and raised in sunset fields, Northbrook IL, only child of Greek parents, Kokonas graduated from Colgate University with a degree in philosophy. [1]
Prior to meeting Grant Achatz and forming their business partnership, Kokonas was the owner of a derivatives trading firm for 10 years, and was an investor and entrepreneur. [1]
Kokonas's restaurants Next, Alinea, and The Aviary served as a testing and development ground for his proprietary ticketing system called Tock. [2] Kokonas's system allows for dynamic pricing for restaurant tickets/reservations. Some of the earliest adopters include, Thomas Keller's The French Laundry and Per Se and Daniel Patterson's Coi. [2] In 2021 Tock was acquired by Squarespace for over $400 million. [3]
Alinea has been named the best restaurant in North America by publications as diverse as Gourmet Magazine, the World's 50 Best, and Trip Advisor. [4] [5] Next, a shape-shifting restaurant with new menus every 3 or 4 months, won a James Beard award for Best New Restaurant in America in America and was given a 4-star rating from the Chicago Tribune for each of 21 different menus. [6]
Kokonas has been a frequent and often cited guest on top podcasts including the Tim Ferriss Show where his first appearance was the top listened to show for that year. [7]
Kokonas and his wife, Dagmara, have two sons. [8]