The Chefs' Warehouse: Who We Are

Where Chefs Shop

Feeding Your Success

The World’s Best Ingredients for the World’s Best Chefs

The Chefs’ Warehouse is a specialty wholesale food distributor servicing restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and fine food stores throughout North America and the world.

Chefs Come First

We discover and deliver the finest specialty foods, fresh produce, and center-of-plate proteins to inspire your culinary creativity and feed your success. We strive for excellence and impeccable service.

White Glove Service

Every customer is paired with a dedicated sales representative to guide, inspire, and streamline your menu creation and ordering. We couple this personal service model with our best-in-class website and technology solutions to make shopping and ordering easy, so you spend more time cooking and entertaining your guests. Think of The Chefs’ Warehouse as your ultimate pantry or walk-in.

Our Mission, Vision, & Values

MISSION

Brand & Relationship Building

We provide the most discerning chefs with the world’s finest specialty food products and ingredients, best-in-breed technology, and a team dedicated to delivering superior support and service.

VISION VALUES

To be the number one partner for chefs.

Curious and Creative

Entrepreneurial

Our Story

In the Beginning There Was Butter and Eggs

Our roots go back to 1956 when two Cypriot immigrant cousins returned from the Korean War effort and founded The Veterans Butter & Egg Company in a small warehouse on Greenwich Street in NYC. They quickly became the go-to supplier for fresh butter, eggs, and cheese to numerous New York restaurants.

Peter Pappas, a founding partner, had two sons, Christopher and John who would help after school and during summer vacations. After college, Chris was recruited to play professional basketball in Europe. This experience exposed him to the culinary splendor of Europe. He saw a business opportunity in providing unique foods and superior ingredients to chefs back home. Chris and his brother John transformed Veteran’s Butter and Egg Company into Dairyland USA with inspiration and a vision to become a major distributor.

Christopher Pappas John Pappas

Founder, Chairman, CEO

Chris leads The Chefs’ Warehouse with inspiration. The small food service distribution company founded in the Bronx over 30 years ago is now a public company, traded on the NASDAQ exchange as CHEF, with over 30 locations across the United States, Canada, and the Middle East. As the driving force behind this growth, Mr. Pappas continues to be intimately involved and personally invested in the dayto-day progress of the business. He is often seen coaching our sales team with lessons learned throughout his tenure at The Chefs’ Warehouse.

Founder, Vice Chairman, COO

From founder to Operations Manager to the head of Purchasing and everything in between, John has remained a consistent visionary in operational practice and improvement. Today, John is most frequently seen walking the aisles of each of our warehouses - using his keen eye to impart insight and identify areas of improvement.

Our History & Growth

Veterans Butter & Egg Co. founded by Peter Pappas

Enters Washington D.C. market through Greenfield Expansion

Enters West Coast markets via acquisition of Van Rex Foods

Expands Mid-Atlantic market via acquisition of American Gourmet

Enters Southern Florida market through the acquisition of Culinaire Specialty Foods

Acquires Praml International, LTD in Las Vegas, NV

Enters the Midwest market via Acquisition of Michael’s Finer Meats, LLC

Dairyland USA founded in Hunts Point, Bronx, NY

Acquires Bel Canto Foods and creates importing arm

Strengthens San Francisco market through acquisition of Northwest Cheese

Acquires European Imports San Francisco division

Acquires Harry Wils in New York, NY

Completes initial public offering

Acquires Provvista Specialty Foods, Inc. in Portland, OR

Establishes Distribution Centers in Seattle, WA, and Tempe, AZ

Acquires European Gourmet

Acquires MT Food Service Inc.

Acquires Queensgate Foodservice in Cinncinnati, OH

Acquires Qzina Specialty Foods and enters Canada

Enters Chicago market via acquisition of Allen Brothers

Acquires Del Monte Capitol Meat Company, LLC and Ports Seafood

New Warehouses open in Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

Acquires BK Specialty Foods in Swedesboro, NJ

Acquires Bertrand’s, Inc. located in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, TX

Acquires Santa Rosa Meats in Santa Rosa, CA

Acquires Sid Wainer & Son in New Bedford, MA

Acquires Cambridge Packing Company Inc. in Boston, MA

Acquires Harris Seafood LLC in Orlando, FL (Allen Brothers Seafood)

Acquires University Foods in Los Angeles, CA

Acquires Alexis Foods in Portland, OR

Acquires Master Purveyors in Tampa, FL

Acquires Chef Middle East in the Middle East (first overseas acquisition)

Acquires Guaranteed Fresh Produce and Dairy in Cape Cod, MA

Acquires G&S Packaging Solutions in Reno, NV

Acquires Down East Seafood in Bronx, NY

Acquires Fells Point Wholesale Meats in Baltimore, MD

Acquires Fine Food Stop in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Acquires Bassian Farms, Inc. in San Jose, CA

Acquires Horizon Food Service in Boerne, TX

Acquires Wabash Seafood in Chicago, IL

Expands Allen Brothers brand to Northeast, Florida, and Northern California

Acquires Foley Fish in New Bedford, MA

Acquires Nicola Imports in Phoenix, AZ and Denver, CO

Acquires Silver State Meats in Las Vegas, NV

Acquires Capital Seaboard in Jessup, MD

Expands Allen Brothers brand into Texas with opening of new warehouse

Acquires Mike Hudson Distributing in Petaluma, CA

Acquires Essence Food Service in Toronto

Acquires Hardie’s Fresh Foods in Texas

Acquires GreenLeaf Produce & Specialty Foods in Brisbane, CA

Acquires Quality Seafood in Miami, FL

Superior Supply Chain

70,000+ 3,000+ 44,000+ 23 53

SKUs suppliers restaurant, hotel, country club, and specialty food store customers

key markets in both North America and the Middle East

distribution centers in operation

State-of-the-Art Facilities

• Many of our state-of-the-art facilities feature full kitchens and demonstration spaces

• We are focused on best-in-class quality practices

• Our Quality Chain Management System ensures the safety, legality, and quality of our products and operations

• A number of our facilities are BRC certified with plans for our additional locations to be certified soon

Sourcing the Best Ingredients in the World

Discovering Products with a Chef’s Sensibility

The Chefs’ Warehouse offers a distinct variety of products to meet the unique needs of every kitchen. Our team of categoryspecific experts and chefs search the globe for the most superior and innovative ingredients in the world. These discoveries, coupled with the requests of customers we work with in each area, define our regional item selections.

Executive Chef David Walzog

Expertise, Experience, Excellence

The Chefs’ Warehouse is the preferred choice for foodservice professionals who demand the best. Our team of specialty, protein, and produce experts curates our offering to meet chefs’ standards and elevate the guest experience. Our trusted reps are the best in the business, and help our customers discover new possibilities and craft exceptional experiences.

Executive Pastry Chef Francois Mellet

Our Products

The Chefs’ Warehouse is proud to offer a distinct variety of products to meet the unique needs of every kitchen. Our team of category managers search the globe to bring chefs the most impressive and innovative products available. Their discoveries coupled with the requests of the customers we work with in each area inform our regional item selections.

Artisanal & Imported Cheese

Baking & Pastry Beverages

Bread & Rolls

Caviar

Charcuterie Chocolate Condiments

Dairy & Eggs

Dried Fruits & Nuts

Foie Gras & Pate Grains & Rice

Spices

Hors D’oeuvres

Jams & Jellies Meat

Mushrooms & Truffles

Olive Oil

Olives

Pasta

Produce

Seafood

Tea & Coffee Vinegar

Who We Serve

• Fine Dining Establishments

• Country Clubs

• Hotels

• Caterers

• Culinary Schools

• Bakeries

• Pâtisseries

• Chocolatiers

• Cruise Lines

• Casinos

• Specialty Food Stores

• Menu-Driven Independent Restaurants

• Casual Fast Dining Restaurants

Our Customers

For almost 40 years, we’ve been delivering quality products to thousands of valued customers, including Michelin-starred restaurants, independent restaurants, restaurant groups, hotels, country clubs, and specialty food stores in 23 key markets across North America and the world. Every customer is paired with a dedicated sales representative to guide, inspire, and streamline your menu creation and ordering.

Our Vendors

With 70,000 SKUs (and growing) we offer the best ingredients, center-of-plate proteins, and produce sourced from around the world, as well as best-in-class locally-sourced products, thanks to our 3,000+ suppliers. Our deep relationships with our vendors allow us access to an unbeatable selection of exclusive products you won’t find anywhere else.

Our Exclusive Brands

In addition to offering a number of brands sourced internationally and regionally, we also source a variety of exclusive brands that enable us to provide exceptional quality and great value.

When Time is the Most Precious Ingredient

Chefs have a new ally in the kitchen — a revamped platform offering straightforward ordering, curated product discovery, and a direct connection to the top reps in the business.

• Unbeatable selection of the highest quality ingredients

• Flexible, shareable order guides make ordering effortless for chefs and their teams

• Curated product discovery helps chefs innovate their menus

• Adaptability, Always: Open orders can be modified as needs change throughout the day

• Personalized support from dedicated reps ensure chefs get what they need, when they need it

The Chefs’ Warehouse is continuously improving with feedback from the world’s most demanding culinary professionals. Discover the future of culinary excellence at chefswarehouse.com.

Our Family of Companies

The Chefs’ Warehouse

The world’s best ingredients for the world’s best chefs

Allen Brothers

The greatest steakhouse steaks and world’s finest seafood since 1893

Michael’s Finer Meats & Seafoods

Providing the most flavorful meat and seafood since 1962

Fells Point Meats

Outstanding quality USDA meats, poultry, and game since 1993

Capital Seaboard

Quality wholesale produce, seafood, and dairy products

Foley Fish

Providing the nation’s top chefs with the freshest, most flavorful seafood

Down East Seafood

Providing the highest quality seafood since 1990

Sid Wainer & Son

The world’s finest specialty produce and foods since 1914

Hardie’s

Fresh fruits & vegetables for more than 80 years

GreenLeaf

Providing ingredients that matter

Mike Hudson Distributing

Servicing the independents since 1969

Chef Middle East

Inspiring culinary craftsmanship

Headquarters

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Mike Hudson Distributing

GreenLeaf

Wabash Seafood

Michael’s Finer

Capital Seaboard Master Purveyors

Fells Point

Down East Seafood

Foley Fish

Sid Wainer & Son

Rapid Service & Dedicated Customer Support

Founders Chris and John Pappas have established the company’s customercentric ethos nearly 40 years ago and have deeply ingrained this philosophy of impeccable service in every facet of the business.

The Chefs’ Warehouse is proud to have the most professional and dedicated team in the foodservice business.

From the moment you place your order, to when the product arrives in your kitchen, you’ll experience the difference Chefs’ Warehouse brings.

Offering generous order cut-off times and convenient deliveries that fit your schedule, Chefs’ Warehouse brings you what you want, when you need it.

A Commitment to Excellence Since 1893

Since 1893 Allen Brothers has been serving the exacting standards of top chefs and restaurants nationally. They’ve earned their reputation based upon one guiding principle — never compromise. From the hand-selection of their meats to their meticulous aging methods and hand-cut custom portioning, every step of their processes is precise and performed to your exact specifications.

Allen Brothers is the premier purveyor of the finest prime meats and other quality foods. In addition to awardwinning steaks, they also offer the best heritage breed lamb, veal and pork, premium seafood, and more.

Providing Top Chefs with the Most Flavorful Meat & Seafood Since 1962

Michael’s Finer Meats & Seafoods has a long-standing tradition of service, center-of-plate quality, and consistency that chefs have relied on for decades.

Founded by Michael Bloch, the son of a Chicago meatpacking superintendent, Michael started his career delivering meat for his dad. In 1961, he bought The Union Meat Company, famous for serving the area’s top landmark restaurants, and renamed it Michaels’ Finer Meats & Seafoods. Today, the company led by Michael’s son, John, has expanded across Ohio and into more than a dozen states.

Outstanding Quality Meats, Poultry, & Game Since 1993

Established in 1993, Fells Point Wholesale Meats is your dedicated protein partner. With over 30 years of processing expertise, Fells Point offers a unique approach to meat sourcing and preparation. Their butchers, each with over 20 years of experience, meticulously craft cuts tailored to your exact specifications. Specializing in Custom Cut Portions & Grinding, we provide a diverse range, including Beef, Pork, Lamb, Veal, Poultry, Game, and Seafood. From Custom Cut Specs for individual chefs to Custom Spec Dry Aging and Fresh Poultry Fabrication, we bring your culinary vision to reality.

The Finest Quality Produce, Seafood, & Dairy Products

Capital Seaboard offers only the finest quality produce, seafood and dairy products. Their buyers continually scour the world to locate products that meet their demanding quality standards and provide their customers with unsurpassed value.

Their dedicated quality control and food safety team ensures the highest quality and safety standards for their products. With over 60 years of expertise in sourcing fresh seafood and produce worldwide, Capital Seaboard guarantees the industry’s best delivery experience through their in-house fleet and hands-on approach.

Providing the Highest Quality Seafood Since 1990

Down East Seafood has provided the world’s finest and freshest seafood to New York’s best chefs for over 30 years. We are pleased to offer our premium, sustainably sourced, and packaged seafood to your door. Started as a single van making weekly pilgrimages for Maine clams, Down East has evolved into a full-line seafood company providing the ocean’s bounty six days a week. Housed in our 17,000-squarefoot facility in Hunt’s Point, the Bronx, we distribute to Westchester, Southern Connecticut, Long Island, Northern New Jersey, and the Five Boroughs of New York City, with direct shipping in our innovative packaging to chefs across the country.

Fresh Fish at its Prime, Every Time

Providing the nation’s most distinguished chefs with the freshest, most flavorful seafood. Sustainably sourced, meticulously processed, and handled with care from dock to plate.

Foley Fish has set the industry standard for the freshest seafood since 1906.

Foley Fish is the benchmark for quality, freshness, and flavor. From a deep and trusted network of harvesters, they source only the top of the catch. Fish just one or two days out of the water.

The fish is processed, packaged, and shipped the next day or sooner.

Supplying New England the World’s Finest Specialty Produce & Foods Since 1914

Sid Wainer sources, grows, and distributes the finest quality specialty produce and foods available. By working with an extensive network of farmers and food artisans, and closely following changing trends and demands within the specialty food and food service industries, they provide you with ingredients to excel, elevate, and positively impact your menu.

Produce with Purpose

Since 1943

Chefs have relied on Hardie’s for fresh fruits & vegetables for more than 80 years. Their produce experts scout the globe (and their own backyards) for the freshest seasonal, and unique ingredients anywhere. Now one of the premier fresh food distributors in the southwest, Hardie’s has grown to a fleet of more than 150 trucks and 163,000 square feet of refrigerated warehouse space across the state of Texas.

A Trusted Connection Between Growers & Northern California Chefs

GreenLeaf is the trusted connection between growers and Northern California chefs. delivering produce, dairy, cheese, and specialty items to a wide range of businesses in the foodservice industry. They are committed to sourcing locally grown, seasonal items of the highest quality, providing best-in-class service and promoting family farms.

With over 2,000 discerning customers, GreenLeaf has the ability to select and support hundreds of farms and suppliers committed to organic and regenerative farming, ethical ingredient sourcing, worker well-being, and growing local communities.

Moving More Than Just Boxes Since the 1960’s

Mike Hudson Distributing grew from a small, family-owned business into one of Northern California’s premier specialty food businesses. Built on longstanding customer relationships and an unwavering commitment to their core values of Integrity, Caring and Passion, Mike Hudson provides reliable service and a unique mix of specialty products their customers have come to trust and expect.

The One Stop Solution for Quality Food & Beverage Requirements

With over 25 years in the business, Chef Middle East is a leading distributor of speciality food and beverage products, serving chefs and culinary professionals in the Middle East with unparalleled quality ingredients and cutting-edge foodservice kitchen solutions from leading brands around the world.

Their company services more than 3,500 customers from 5-star hotels and world-class dining to international chains and concept restaurants in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman. They also provide the same exceptional quality of service and products to customers in locations such as the Indian Ocean, Africa, and the Commonwealth of Individual States.