Meet Sonya Coté!



To Chef Sonya Coté, cooking is more than just putting food on a plate — it’s about creating edible pieces of art and educating future generations on the importance of utilizing locally-grown and raised ingredients for freshness and nutrition.

After earning a degree in graphic arts from the Art Institute of Dallas, Coté accepted a position in the marketing department of Whole Foods Market. However, still driven to pursue her passion for food, Coté founded her first catering company, Coté Catering, on the side. After finding great success in the catering realm, Coté decided to leave her marketing career behind to focus entirely on a future in the culinary arts.

Following an apprenticeship under celebrated Chef Dominico Biasi, as well as a stint working under Chef Leslie Washburn, Coté moved to Austin to work as a sous chef for chef Andrew Brookes. From there, she landed a position at Dai Due, before being named the Executive Chef of East Side Show Room.

From there, Coté opened Hillside Farmacy, an artisanal eatery and specialty grocery store in East Austin, which Bon Appétit called one of "The Best Spots in America to Taste the Revival.” Following the restaurant’s success, Coté was named as one of Marie Claire’s “Women on Top”; a national award recognizing women who have shown "unparalleled talent, vision and backbone in blazing their own trails."

In 2013, Coté appeared on Food Network’s “Chopped” before opening her true farm-to-table restaurant, Eden East. That same year, the restaurant was named one of Austin Monthly’s “Best New Restaurants”, and Coté was honored at Tribeza’s “People of The Year” awards.

Today, Coté can be found splitting her time between her two restaurants, catering company and non-profit, the Homegrown Revival Supper Club. In her spare time, she enjoys combing the fields of Springdale Farm, sourcing ingredients at the Austin Farmers’ Market and making appearances at local culinary fundraisers and events.