Hillary Sterling is the four-time James Beard–nominated Executive Chef of Ci Siamo, a Danny Meyer restaurant with a focus on seasonal, live-fire Italian fare. After graduating from Chicago’s Le Cordon Bleu, Sterling began her formal training in the kitchen of Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill, and continued with Flay at the acclaimed Spanish restaurant, Bolo. Turning her attention to Italy, she joined the team at Lupa Osteria Romana, where she developed a lasting respect for the unifying power of food and the importance of intentionality in cooking. In 2010, she assumed the role of chef de cuisine at Michelin-starred A Voce. Working under Chef Missy Robbins, Sterling fell in love with the regionality and traditions of Italian cuisine. She would later return to her domestic roots as the executive chef and partner of Vic’s, where her menu of thoughtfully prepared dishes gained a loyal following. Sterling was born and raised in Brooklyn, where she continues to live with her wife and their son.