For over a decade, Chef Danielle Leoni has dedicated her life to understanding the balance of flavor, tradition and sustainability to create a one of a kind culinary experiences.
Press & Accolades
Chef Danielle Connects Farmers to Chefs Across the Planet
2020
James Beard Foundation Best Chef in the Southwest Nomination
James Beard Foundation, Taste America Phoenix, Local All Star Chef
James Beard Foundation, Culinary Lab, Host
NPR, “Prevent a Total Collapse: Arizona Restaurants Ask Ducey for Action”
Arizona Capitol Times, “Ducey Delays Evictions for Small Businesses”
Arizona Republic, Op-Ed, “Arizona’s Small Independent Restaurants Need a Lifeline. Will Governor Ducey Help Us?”
Edible Phoenix, Danielle Leoni - Beyond the Plate Hero
NPR, Arizona Small Restaurants to Gov. Ducey: We Need Your Help”
ABC 15, Small businesses say executive order halting evictions will help them stay afloat”
NPR, “Business as Unusual: Phoenix Restaurants Coping with a Crisis”
Arizona Republic, “Coronavirus shuttered her business. Now she’s Arizona restaurants’ fiercest champion.”
Arizona Republic, “Chef Danielle Leoni said goodbye to her Phoenix restaurant, Breadfruit – maybe for good.”
Arizona Small Restaurant Coalition, Founder
Phoenix New Times, Table Scraps “Know the Story of Your Food, Says Chef Danielle Leoni”
Fish Wise, “Fishing for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in the Seafood Industry”
Phoenix New Times, “7 Stories Celebrating Women in the Phoenix Food World”
Arizona Republic, Dominic Armato’s 100 Essential Phoenix Restaurants
Samantha Brown’s Place’s to Love, Feature
The Empty Nesters Kitchen, “Chef Danielle Leoni: Global Sustainability Activist and Conduit for Change”
Devour Culinary Classic, Sustainability Judge
Devour the World 2020, Featured Chef
Waste Management Sustainability Forum, Facilitator
Your Life Arizona, Monthly Guest Chef
Urban Farm Podcast, “Danielle Leoni on Serving Up Good Food”
NPR, “Phoenix Chef Danielle Leoni Is a Champion of Sustainable Seafood – In the Desert
Our Daily Planet, James Beard Chef Danielle Leoni on Cooking Sustainably and Bringing Joy with Food
2022
PBS NewsHour, “Tipping Point: Fisheries on the Brink”
Asian Seafood Improvement Collaborative (ASIC), Ambassador
Good Fish Foundation, Ambassador
James Beard Foundation Smart Catch, Chef Council Board Member
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Blue Ribbon Task Force, Member
Sunday Edit, How to Become a Sustainability Activist in Your Daily Life
Chef’s Manifiesto, Sustainable Sundays UN SDG’s Recipe Feature
Chef’s Manifesto, UN World’s Ocean Conference Ocean Recipes
Fabulous Arizona, Fab Eco Trendsetters
Unstoppable Podcast, Danielle Leoni on How to Overcome Change and Achieve Your Dream
“As a Chef, I have the opportunity
to influence how we all think about food.
It’s by sharing the story of our food,
cooking and eating it that leads to
lasting sustainable change.”
2019
James Beard Foundation Awards Gala, Featured Chef
James Beard Foundation, Windstar Cruise, Celebrity Chef
James Beard House, Dinner, “Smart Catch: Sustainable Seafood Celebration”
James Beard Foundation, Blog Feature “How the Kitchen Taught Me to Speak Out”
James Beard Foundation, Featured Chef, BITE NW Arkansas
James Beard Foundation, Taste America Phoenix, Local All Star Chef
Arizona Republic, “How a Phoenix Chef is Pushing Congress to Make Sure Seafood is Sustainable”
Voyage Phoenix feature, “Meet Danielle Leoni of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Downtown Phoenix”
Bite Magazine feature, “Danielle Leoni and Dwayne Allen of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar”
Roland’s Food Court podcast interview, “Sara Brito with Chef Danielle Leoni”
Coffee and A Mike podcast interview
Edible Phoenix feature, “Sustainable Seafood in the Desert”
Java Magazine feature, “Chef Danielle Leoni Brings Sustainability to the Plate”
Your Life Arizona, Channel 3, Monthly Guest Chef
2021
Phoenix New Times Best of 2021, Food & Drink: Best Hero
Arizona Capitol Times, 2021 Leader of the Year
Purina, A Life Well Fed
Front Doors Magazine,“The Caring Chef”
TimeOut Magazine, Top 7 Female Chefs Across the US
James Beard Foundation, ”A Place at the Table” Cookbook
James Beard Foundation, Mentor
NPR, “One Year Later: How COVID-19 Changed Independent Phoenix Restaurants”
Arizona Department of Game and Fish, Certificate of Commendation
Arizona Desert Shrimp, Ambassador
James Beard Foundation Smart Catch, Chef Council Board Member
Phoenix New Times, Phoenix's Finest Female Chefs Are Gathering to Discuss Desert Food Dynamics
2018
Arizona Republic, “The Breadfruit & Rum Bar Chef Uses Cactus in Jamaican Dish”
Arizona Department of Tourism “This is the Place” featured chef
Phoenix New Times, “The Breadfruit’s Danielle Leoni Scoops Up Fresh James Beard Honor”
Phoenix Business Journal, 40 under 40 Award
Phoenix New Times, “A Behind the Scenes Look at 4 Food Artisans You Don’t Want to Miss”
James Beard Foundation, Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner
James Beard Foundation, Smart Catch, Leader Designation
James Beard House, Dinner with Chef Alfred Ashish
James Beard Foundation Taste America Phoenix, Reception Chef
James Beard Foundation, Inaugural Seafood Summit, Host
James Beard Foundation, Women in Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellowship
Food Network, Chopped, Contestant
Your Life Arizona, Channel 3, Monthly Guest Chef
Arizona State University School of Sustainability feature, Meet Sustainably Master’s Student Danielle Leoni
Dumplin’ & Boiled Plantain in with in Season Seafood
2017
Arizona Republic, “Why You Can Trust One Phoenix Restaurant’s Seafood Claims”
Arizona Republic, 12 Best Downtown Phoenix Restaurants
Arizona Republic, Who’s Next: 40 under 40 in Food, Award
James Beard Foundation, Food Summit and Leadership Conference, Scholarship Recipient & Participant
Maya’s Farm & Pillsbury Vineyard, Night on the Farm Dinner, Featured Chef / Volunteer
The James Beard Foundation, Smart Catch, National Pilot participant
The James Beard Foundation, Smart Catch Seal
The James Beard Foundation, Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change, Alumni
Local First Arizona, Mentor to women owned small business start ups
Arizona State University Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, ASU PREPPED, Mentor & Speaker
St. Mary’s Food Bank, Community Kitchen, Volunteer & Guest Instructor
Devour Restaurant Coalition, Mediator
Community Food Connections, Phoenix Public Market, Demos, Guest Chef
Devoured Culinary Classic, Gold Medal – The Breadfruit & Rum Bar
Devoured Culinary Classic, Gold Medal – Leoni’s Focaccia
Grape Arizona Wine Charity Event, Rotary International, Featured Chef and Donor
Arizona Republic, “Top 10 Downtown Phoenix Restaurants”, Dominic Armato
Phoenix Magazine, “101 Things We Love About the Valley” – Leoni’s Focaccia
Phoenix Magazine, “Where to Eat in 2017”- Feature, Leoni’s Focaccia
Arizona Foothills Magazine, Best of the Valley: Leoni’s Focaccia “Best Sandwich Shop”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Best Date Spot”
Arizona Republic, honoree “Who’s Next: 32 Foodies Spice Up Arizona’s Restaurant Culinary Scene”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Best Seafood”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Spiciest Dining”
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Best of the Valley: The Breadfruit & Rum Bar “Best Craft Cocktails”
Your Life Arizona, Channel 3, Monthly Guest Chef