Michael Paley
Chef Michael Paley
Executive Chef
Chef Michael Paley is the Executive Chef of Prime 54, the signature steakhouse at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. An award-winning culinary craftsman with deep roots in the South Florida dining scene, Chef Paley brings nearly 20 years of award-winning excellence to his role overseeing Prime 54’s menu and staff, infusing creativity and passion into every element of the dining experience.
Before Chef Paley joined Prime 54 and Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Chef Paley was a pivotal figure at Miami’s acclaimed Klaw restaurant. Under his leadership, Klaw garnered accolades including the “Best New Restaurant” title from Eater.com and Infatuation Miami in 2022. In 2023, Klaw secured the 35th spot on the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list.
Prior to Klaw, Chef Paley served as Executive Chef of Miami’s Amara at Paraiso, earning “Restaurant of the Year” honors from Eater.com in 2018. He has also held executive chef roles at Austin’s South Congress Hotel and Hotel Ella. Balancing his role as chef with his business acumen, Chef Paley has spearheaded several projects for 21C Museum Hotels as Executive Chef and Managing Partner. These include Cincinnati’s Metropole at the 21C, which earned a ranking on Bon Appétit Magazine’s “Top 50 Best New Restaurants of 2013” list. He also led Louisville’s Garage Bar, winner of “Best Pizza in Unexpected Places” honors by Food and Wine Magazine in 2012. Additionally, Chef Paley contributed to the success of Proof on Main at 21C Museum Hotel, which garnered “Top 20 Best New Restaurants of 2006” honors by Esquire and earned him Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s “Rising Star Chef” award in 2007.
