Profiles
Michael Paley
As executive chef of Proof on Main at the 21C Hotel and Museum, Michael Paley is
part of the resurgence of historical downtown Louisville. Paley is making Proof
on Main a showcase for the bounty of the Ohio River Valley. His exciting, accessible
menu pays homage to local farmers, artisanal producers, and sustainable agriculture.
Paley began working with Myriad in 2002 at Lucca, a Tuscan inspired restaurant at
the illustrious Boca Raton Resort and Club. Under executive chef Carey Savona, Paley
embraced the Italian approach to cooking; utilizing only the freshest seasonal ingredients
to create simple, elegant dishes. As sous chef, Paley spent the following
years setting the benchmark for south Florida dining with Lucca’s stunning
food, great service and award-winning wine list.
This rising star’s professional cooking odyssey began in the front of the
house, as busboy, in his hometown of Washington, New Jersey. However, it was the
excitement of what was going on behind the curtain that quickly drew him to the
kitchen. He enjoyed the camaraderie among all levels of the kitchen staff,
and realized that no restaurant operates successfully without passion and teamwork.
While majoring in film at Florida State University, Paley continued honing his culinary
skills and landed a job with Club Corporation of America. The University Center
Club at Florida State’s Doak S. Campbell Stadium introduced him to a large
scale culinary operation: two restaurants, banquets, and catering. At the young
age of 22 he took charge of the club’s casual grill restaurant, where he learned
how to supervise a staff, create a menu and execute it while maintaining high quality
standards.
South Florida allowed Paley the chance to work with some of the nation’s top
restaurateurs and get classical training. While attending Florida Culinary
Institute he worked under Chef John Belleme at Zemi, a Boca Raton hot spot. Paley
also worked behind the stoves for famed chef Daniel Boulud, opening Café
Boulud Palm Beach. Upon learning that Drew Nieporent’s Myriad Group was operating
Lucca at the Boca Resort, he jumped at the opportunity to take part.
In 2005, Paley was tapped to head Proof on Main at the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville,
Kentucky. Owned by Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown, the 21C houses an art gallery
as well as a restaurant and banquet facilities. Michael is honored to join Louisville’s
group of dedicated and skilled restaurateurs, and together continuing Louisville’s
growth on the national culinary stage.