Carrie Starcher is the executive chef at New York City's favorite Mediterranean restaurant, Layla. Trained at the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts where she was valedictorian of her class, Starcher started her career at the Steelhead Grill in Pennsylvania. She also gained experience at the Colorado Spring Marriott and The Coach House on Martha's Vineyard.

This talented young chef has infused new energy into Layla. Her cuisine provides a magic carpet ride through all the region's wonderful flavors – a perfect fit with Layla's fun, festive atmosphere.

Starcher has been developing her Mediterranean palate for years, reading books, eating at restaurants and experimenting with different, grains, herbs, aromatics and beans. What inspires her about this cuisine says Starcher, is that "you can put 20 ingredients into a dish and yet the flavors retain their simplicity and honesty."

Check out our previously featured chefs:
Diana Barrios Trevino
Rick Browne
Ken Enck
Susan Goss
Giuliano Hazan
Katy Keck
Nancy Kennedy
Jack McDavid
Rick Rodgers