Kyle Connaughton

Chef, Culinary Educator, and Cookbook Author (Healdsburg, CA)

Kyle Connaughton is a chef, culinary educator, cookbook author, and co-founder of SingleThread, the acclaimed farm, restaurant, and inn in Healdsburg, California. His culinary journey began in Los Angeles with an apprenticeship at one of the city's oldest Japanese restaurants before continuing his training in both pastry and savory kitchens at Spago Beverly Hills, The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Lucques, Hama Sushi, and A.O.C.

Driven by a passion for Japanese cuisine, Kyle spent several years living and cooking in Japan, training under legendary chef Michel Bras and working in numerous traditional Japanese restaurants. In 2006, he joined Heston Blumenthal as Head Chef of Research and Development for The Fat Duck Experimental Kitchen in Bray, England, where he helped pioneer innovative culinary techniques. 

Together with his wife, farmer and co-owner Katina Connaughton, Kyle opened SingleThread in December 2016. The restaurant immediately garnered widespread acclaim, earning a four-star review from the San Francisco Chronicle upon opening and becoming one of California's premier dining destinations. SingleThread has maintained three Michelin Stars, including in the 2026 California Michelin Guide, making it one of only eight restaurants in the state to retain the distinction that year. In 2020, the restaurant was among the first recipients of the Michelin Green Star, recognizing its longstanding commitment to sustainability.

SingleThread has also earned international recognition, receiving the "Miele One to Watch" Award from The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2018 before ranking No. 37 in 2021, No. 50 in 2022, and No. 46 in 2024. In 2025, it received the Sustainable Restaurant Award from North America's 50 Best Restaurants, and in 2026 was named Best Restaurant in the West while ranking No. 16 on the list.

Additional accolades include ranking No. 7 on Robb Report's "100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century" in 2025, receiving La Liste's 2024 Ethical Sustainability Award, and sharing the No. 1 ranking in La Liste's "Top 1,000 Restaurants" guide in both 2025 and 2026. In 2024, the Michelin Guide also awarded SingleThread Inn Three Michelin Keys, its highest hotel distinction.

In 2026, Kyle and Katina opened their first international property, SoNoMa by SingleThread, inside the newly debuted Capella Kyoto in the historic Miyagawa-cho geisha district. The 12-seat restaurant marks a full-circle moment for the couple, who lived and trained in Japan for years before founding SingleThread, reimagining their Kyoto-influenced California restaurant as, in Kyle's words, "a California-influenced restaurant in Kyoto."

Kyle's work encompasses culinary education, as he co-developed the curriculum for The Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) Bachelor Degree in Culinary Science program as well as the first Master's Degree in Culinary Arts and serves on its Board of Trustees. In December 2022, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the CIA for his significant contributions. 

Together with Katina and CEO Tony Greenberg, Kyle leads Vertice, a hospitality development and management company known for creating and operating award-winning hospitality environments. (Instagram: @kyleconnaughton)