Brian Malarkey
Brian Malarkey is one of America’s most dynamic chefs and restaurateurs, celebrated for his bold culinary vision and flair for concept-driven dining experiences.
He leads two thriving restaurant groups: The Puffer Malarkey Collective (PMC) and The Brothers Malarkey. PMC operates four acclaimed restaurants in San Diego — Herb & Wood, Herb & Sea, Animae, and Le Coq — with the latter two helmed by James Beard-nominated Chef Tara Monsod, pushing the boundaries of modern dining.
Through The Brothers Malarkey, Brian is bringing his creativity to the Pacific Northwest. His newest concept, Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge, is a modern cowboy-inspired restaurant in his hometown of Bend, Oregon. In 2026, the group will open its highly anticipated second concept in Portland, further expanding its reach.
Beyond restaurants, Malarkey is the founder of Chef’s Life, a premium cooking oil and lifestyle brand now available in more than 4,000 grocery stores nationwide.
A fan favorite from Top Chef, Malarkey has become a fixture on food television. He hosts Food Network’s reboot of Cutthroat Kitchen and frequently appears as a judge or competitor on Guy’s Grocery Games, Chopped, Tournament of Champions, Wildcard Kitchen, and 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing.
Most recently, Malarkey has expanded into podcasting. He co-hosts The Harley Malarkey Podcast: Old Dog, New Tricks with his partner Danielle Harley, where the couple explores topics like sobriety, age-gap relationships, and staying connected in a disconnected world — always with humor, honesty, and heart.
