Chef Michael L. Trombley, C.E.C.
(Certified Executive Chef)

With 26 years of combined restaurant experience, Chef Michael Trombley began his passion for working in a kitchen as a dishwasher in a family style restaurant at the age of 15.  This experience enticed Michael to pursue food arts vocational school during his high school years.  Upon graduating from high school, Michael attended Lansing Community College’s Culinary Arts program as an apprentice under Eric Villegas (chef/owner of Restaurant Villegas in Lansing and host of the PBS television series ‘Fork in the Road’).

To heighten and further his skills, Michael joined the team at The Golden Mushroom as Chef Tournant under the tutelage of the first Certified Master Chef in America, Chef Milos Cihelka, and Executive Chef Steve Allen.

From there, Michael became the Executive Chef of the four star restaurant, One23 (now The Hill restaurant located in Grosse Pointe Farms) at the age of 24. Michael later went on to become the Executive Chef at The Golden Mushroom, Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor, and Chef/Partner at City Kitchen in Grosse Pointe. He later served as Corporate Executive Chef for West Bloomfield’s Brasserie Zinc and Royal Oak’s Red Coat Tavern. Currently, he has joined the Ann Arbor City Club, (a multi-faceted facility, located in a lovely historical home) as Executive Chef, where he will assist in developing  an elevated direction for the Club.

Michael’s other endeavors include part-time teaching at Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts program, as well as serving several years on the board of directors of Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association. In addition, he is a Consultant to restaurants, in development of menus/recipes. He can also tailor these services to interested parties for the special occasion in the home.  

He was honored as Chef of the Year, 2003 Michigan Chef’s De Cuisine (MCCA), has been Featured Writer for Observer Eccentric Papers. His professional development includes attending CIA Greystone, Napa Valley for Global culinary updates. He has ongoing involvement in many fund raisers including Night for Sight, March of Dimes and Variety.

Michael resides in Novi, Michigan and enjoys spending time with his wife, Karen and the apple of his eye, three-year-old daughter, Avery.