Meet Michael Stillman

Michael Stillman grew up in the restaurant industry watching his family’s restaurant business. He worked for Union Square Hospitality Group and The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and gained experience in kitchens and purchasing departments before participating in staff recruitment and training, menu development and operations for Smith & Wollensky openings in Houston, Dallas and Boston.

Michael channeled his creative vision and business sense into the concept creation of Quality Meats, which opened in New York City in 2006 and Miami Beach in 2015. He led the execution of every aspect of the new restaurant, from recruiting acclaimed design firm AvroKO and talented young chef Craig Koketsu, to negotiating lease terms and working with contractors to keep the job on budget and schedule. After closing the sale of The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and founding Quality Branded in 2007, Michael created a succession of restaurants that achieved critical and popular acclaim: Park Avenue Summer (Autumn, Winter, Spring), Quality Italian, Quality Meats Miami Beach and Quality Eats. Michael will share his advice for the smart, effective expansion of a restaurant brand.