The Boston Harbor Hotel's Distinguished Chef

Eighteen years ago, when Daniel Bruce was one of the country’s most promising young culinary talents, he was lured into the kitchens of Boston’s landmark waterfront hotel, the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf. Chef Bruce’s passion for food and wine launched the Boston Wine Festival, the nation’s longest-running food and wine pairing series. Throughout the eighteen years of directing this highly regarded event, Chef Bruce has worked with the finest winemakers from around the world and created individualized menus that tailor his cuisine to the flavors of each wine. While featuring the freshest and most unusual local ingredients to enhance the culinary experience for guests, Chef Bruce has never repeated a single dish.

Born and raised in Northern New England, Bruce graduated with honors from Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, and then traveled to Europe for more traditional training. Upon his return to the United States, he began working in New York City. But even as the youngest executive chef in the history of the famed “21” Club, his dream of creating his own signature restaurant remained bright.

That dream became a reality with the October 2002 opening of Meritage, a bold restaurant concept featuring the pairing of culinary flavors to wine flavors, rather than the traditional pairings of grape varietals and cuisine. Lovingly created by Daniel Bruce, Meritage is a true manifestation of his personal passion, housed in the beauty and elegance of the city’s jewel box on the harbor, the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Internationally-renowned, Chef Bruce has been selected as "Chef of the Year" for Boston by "Chefs in America," and in both 1992 and 2001 he was honored as one of the "Best Hotel Chefs in America" at the James Beard House. Additionally, Bruce is an honorary member of Chevalier du Tastevin and has been recognized by Boston Magazine as the city's Best Hotel Chef. Chef Bruce has made numerous live television appearances on national programs such as NBC's Today and Live with Regis and Kelly. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Johnson & Wales University in 1996.