New Celebrity Chef to Helm The Americano, Mora Italian Restaurants

Since its debut, celebrity chef Scott Conant has helmed North Scottsdale’s The Americano restaurant and Phoenix’s Mora Italian. Now, Conant and Creation Hospitality, the restaurants’ owners, have announced a transition in leadership—celebrity chef Beau MacMillan, will take over the direction at both hot spots. 

Mora Italian and The Americano will remain true to their original concepts under MacMillan’s leadership, they say.

Chef Beau MacMillan

MacMillan is one of Arizona’s most notable and well-respected chefs and, like Conant, a Food Network regular. He also leads Cala at Scottsdale’s Senna House, and prior to that, was the executive chef at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and its signature restaurant, Elements, for more than 20 years. He 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 debut under The Americano on May 18.

“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 (Mora & The Americano),” says Conant, who shares that he will continue to live with his family in Scottsdale.

Chef Scott Conant. Photo by Ken Goodman Photography

“Scott has been a longtime friend, and I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for him,” MacMillan says. “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.”

Conant, who has been a judge on Chopped for more than a decade, and is the author of the cookbook Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef’s Home Kitchen, will remain at the helm of The Americano by Scott Conant in Atlanta, an Italian steakhouse at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel. He shares that he’s also focusing on new concepts.