Award-Winning Philly Chef To Lead DoorDash Restaurant Advisor Program

PHILADELPHIA — One of Philadelphia's most lauded and famous chefs has been tapped to helm a popular delivery service's Chief Restaurant Advisor program.

DoorDash announced James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov will be the company's third Chief Restaurant Advisor.

Solomonov runs several popular restaurants in Philadelphia with his partner Steve Cook under the CookNSolo banner.

Zahav, Federal Donuts, Goldie, Laser Wolf, and Dizengoff are a few of their notable restaurants.

The Chief Restaurant Advisor program aims to infuse restaurant operator perspectives into DoorDash.

According to DoorDash, the advisor champions the restaurant perspective, serves as a voice of the industry, and provide valuable insights and feedback.

"With over a decade of restaurant ownership under his belt, we’re incredibly eager to welcome Chef Michael Solomonov’s unique owner-operator perspective to DoorDash over the next year," said Ruth Isenstadt, Head of US Restaurants at DoorDash. "The evolution and expansion of his growing restaurant empire in Philadelphia and New York City is a testament to continued innovation to meet customers where they are – something DoorDash is equally invested in for the long-term."

During his one-year term as Chief Restaurant Advisor, Chef Michael Solomonov will meet with various DoorDash teams to share his unique operator perspective on unreleased products and services, connect with employees to emphasize the importance of hospitality, and liaise with restaurant operators across the nation to hear their unique perspectives.

"Many of our restaurants including Federal Donuts and Goldie have grown because of our partnership with DoorDash over the years, connecting our customers with greater convenience," Solomonov said. "One of the aspects I’m most excited about is getting an inside look at how DoorDash makes decisions on behalf of its partners – and I’m not shying away from sharing what restaurant operators need."

Before officially passing the torch, DoorDash asked Pinky Cole, Founder of Atlanta-based vegan hamburger chain Slutty Vegan and outgoing Chief Restaurant Advisor, for one piece of advice for her successor.

"DoorDash chose you for your unique perspective. If they’re asking you for your thoughts on something, never hesitate to speak your mind or share out-of-the-box ideas on how something could be improved," Cole said. "You’ll soon see how much employees at DoorDash truly appreciate the perspective of restaurant operators and the change we can help bring to our fellow restaurateurs."