Franklin Becker

Acclaimed Chef, Founder, and CEO of F. Becker Hospitality, Culinary Institute of America alum and Top Chef Masters competitor, Franklin Becker brings more than 30 years of diverse culinary and business development experience. Franklin has been responsible for iconic restaurants including Catch and Capitale in Manhattan, the latter of which was named one of “America’s Best New Restaurants” by Esquire in 2003. As Culinary Director for Aurify brands, Franklin served as a founding partner of the fast-casual The Little Beet and full-service restaurant The Little Beet Table. His most recent success includes The Manhattanville Market Food Hall, and Oliva Tapas at Columbia University’s Manhattanville campus – the first of such venues to be located at any Ivy League University. Franklin is leading the Hospitality Department’s powerhouse culinary team, creating the vision and flavor profiles for the group’s many projects including The Press Club Grill – a new American restaurant in the heart of Manhattan inspired by the Continental cuisine of the 1950s and 1960s.