Celebrity Chef Scott Conant, the culinary inspiration behind two of Arizona’s most popular restaurants, and Creation Hospitality, the restaurants’ owners, have announced a transition in leadership at The Americano in Scottsdale and Mora Italian in Phoenix. The restaurants will remain true to their original concepts under the new leadership of Chef Beau MacMillan, one of Arizona’s most notable and well-respected chefs and a fellow Food Network regular.
MacMillan is collaborating with Creation Hospitality, a division of Phoenix-based Creation founded by David Sellers and Bob Agahi, on all three of their original concepts, including the soon-to-open underground craft cocktail and live music lounge Tell Your Friends, which will make its debut under The Americano May 18. Meanwhile, Conant will remain at the helm of The Americano by Scott Conant in Atlanta, an Italian steakhouse at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel.
“I’m confident in handing over the reins to Chef Beau, knowing that the dining experience will continue to meet and exceed the expectations of those who have come to know and love these very special restaurants,” said Conant.
Mora Italian
The Americano
Conant confirmed that he and his family will continue to live in Scottsdale while his future culinary adventures take him to other regions around the nation and abroad. While not disclosing immediate plans, Conant says he’s focused on new concepts to serve the rapidly evolving tastes of culinary consumers and diners.
“Scott has been a longtime friend, and I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for him,” said MacMillan. “I’ve been a huge fan of both restaurants since they opened – The Americano is two minutes from my house, and I’m always there. Mora has an unbelievable vibe and energy. I can’t wait to dig in and establish relationships with the guests and the talented teams that illuminate each restaurant. In my expanded role with Creation, I look forward to the opportunity to amplify two already successful restaurants even further.”
MacMillan currently operates the popular Cala at Scottsdale’s Senna House, which he and partners Clive Collective opened in 2022, featuring modern coastal cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean. Before that, he was the executive chef at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and its signature restaurant, Elements, for over twenty years. MacMillan’s ingenuity in the kitchen is stimulated by the belief that food should not be overworked but rather appreciated for its simplicity and natural perfection. As a result, MacMillan’s innovative seasonal menus focus on fresh, local ingredients procured from a network of artisans and organic farmers.
Scott Conant has continued to expand his brand through acclaimed restaurants, cookbooks, and television shows from the time he opened L’Impero in New York City in 2002, which was awarded Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. He is known to fans worldwide for his Food Network appearances, including more than a decade as a judge on “Chopped.” His most recent cookbook, “Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef’s Home Kitchen,” was published in 2021.
