Chef Thomas McNaughton started working in kitchens at a very young age in Southern New Jersey. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Thomas moved to the Bay Area and started working at La Folie. He then went on to become sous chef at two of San Francisco’s most respected restaurants: Gary Danko and Quince.
In addition to his time in San Francisco, McNaughton traveled throughout Europe to work and stage at Michell Rostang in France, Tantrise in Germany, and Sassege in Italy.
The James Beard Foundation nominated Thomas for Rising Star Chef in 2011, 2012 and again in 2013, and flour + water was nominated as Best New Restaurant in 2010. In addition to flour + water, Thomas currently oversees the growth and development of Central Kitchen and Salumeria, as the CEO and Culinary Director of Ne Timeas Restaurant Group.