Suzanne Goin is a four-time James Beard Foundation award-winning chef and cookbook author. Raised in Los Angeles by food-obsessed Francophile parents, her culinary journey began as a high school senior when she talked herself into a job at the legendary Ma Maison. After graduating from Brown University, Suzanne went on to work at some of the country's finest restaurants, including L’Orangerie and Campanile in Los Angeles, Al Forno in Providence, Olives in Boston, Chez Panisse in Berkeley, as well as Alain Passard’s Arpège in Paris.

Her first restaurant, Lucques, debuted in 1998 and had an international impact over its 22 year run. Lucques' "refined carriage house" setting and Suzanne’s focus on local California produce inspired chefs nationwide to embrace a seasonal, ingredient-driven approach, directly contributing to the rise of "New American" style restaurants across the U.S. Its hospitality-first ethos and wine program, led by Styne, elevated service and sommelier culture in Los Angeles.

Today, Suzanne runs her legendary farmers’ market-driven small plates restaurant A.O.C. in West Hollywood, which she founded in 2002. In addition to A.O.C. and her wholesale bakery, The Larder Baking Company, Suzanne runs all the FOOD+WINE operations at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. In October 2021, she partnered with the Proper Hotel Group in Downtown Los Angeles to create Cara Cara on the rooftop and Dahlia cocktail bar. 

This fall, in 2025, Suzanne and Caroline will launch Hope & Grand Events by Lucques at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles, providing the food and beverage for all premium catering as well as the three Founders Rooms on campus. 

Goin has authored two award-winning cookbooks—Sunday Suppers at Lucques (2005), winner of the James Beard Award for “Best Cookbook from a Professional Viewpoint,” and The A.O.C. Cookbook (2013), honored by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Her accolades from the James Beard Foundation include “Best Chef: California” (2006), “Outstanding Chef” (2016), and induction into the “Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America” (2017).

In 2010, Suzanne and her husband, David Lentz, along with Caroline Styne, founded L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade, “A decadent chefs’ cookout,” which brings together over 50 chefs, dozens of winemakers and mixologists for the cause.  L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade has raised over $11.3 million to research and cure for childhood cancer.