Gregory Gourdet — born in Queens to Haitian immigrant parents, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Jean-Georges Vongerichten's kitchens, and then Departure in Portland — opened Kann in Portland, Oregon in August 2022. Kann won the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2023. In 2024, Gregory was honored as Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific by the James Beard Foundation. La Liste named it one of the world's best restaurants for 2025. In 2025, Kann was named the 27th best restaurant in North America on the inaugural North America's 50 Best list — the first Haitian restaurant to receive this level of international recognition.
Gourdet's culinary philosophy and its significance to the African diaspora culinary story.
AFRICA TO AMERICA — WA4: THE DEEPEST DIVE