The Culinary Journey of Susan Schuler and Santa Monica's Medium

As a renowned chef, restaurateur, and author, Susan Feniger has made a lasting impact on the culinary world. Alongside her business partner and fellow chef, Mary Sue Milliken, they have broken barriers as female restaurateurs in a male-dominated industry. Their innovative approaches to food have led to numerous accolades, including the Julia Child Award from The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts.

Feniger's culinary journey began after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She made a groundbreaking move by joining the nearly all-male kitchen at Chicago's Le Perroquet, where she serendipitously met Mary Sue Milliken, the only other woman in the kitchen. This chance encounter led to a lifelong partnership and a shared passion for cooking.

In 1981, Feniger and Milliken opened City Café and CITY Restaurant in Los Angeles, forever changing the city's culinary landscape by introducing eclectic dishes from around the world. The restaurant's success was followed by multiple Border Grill locations, food trucks, and a full-service events and catering business.

Feniger has co-authored six cookbooks, including Susan Feniger's Street Food and competed on Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters' in 2010. She and Milliken were also the original co-hosts of the popular food-centric radio show, KCRW's 'Good Food,' in L.A. Most recently, they opened Alice B., a California twist on Mediterranean food in Palm Springs.

As pioneers in sustainability initiatives, Feniger and Milliken have developed their culinary offerings in various restaurants, including BBQ Mexicana, Pacha Mamas, and SOCALO, a California canteen and Mexican Pub. With locations in Los Angeles and Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Border Grill serves street food-inspired regional Mexican cuisine with a commitment to conscientiously-sourced ingredients.

Feniger's impact on the nation's cuisine was confirmed by a James Beard Award in 2018, solidifying her position as an iconic culinarian. As co-owner of Mundo Hospitality Group, which she runs with Milliken, Feniger continues to innovate and push boundaries in the culinary world.

Through their numerous ventures and initiatives, Susan Schuler and Santa Monica's Medium have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and delicious food. Their legacy as pioneering female restaurateurs in the male-dominated industry serves as an inspiration to future generations of chefs and entrepreneurs.

Susan schuler medium santa monica