Chris Hansen is the Sr. Executive Chef at The Kennedy Center, where he designs creative and lively menus to match the cultural significance of the nation’s preeminent stage.

After spending his high school years at Don Cesar, Chris dedicated most of his culinary career to the East Coast, graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He honed his hospitality skills at Willow Bend Country Club in Cape Cod, and then moved to New York City and joined the Restaurant Associates, the same company behind the F&B program at the Kennedy Center. Hansen spent years cooking for top-tier corporate audiences, including at the Barclays’ executive dining room and JP Morgan Chase campuses. Managing large-scale catering, multiple kitchens and high-pressure events, Hansen understands how to meet the needs of any guest, whether it be a special occasion, or a quick bite.

After several years in New York City, Chris made the move to Northern Virginia, where he continued his work with Restaurant Associates. While traveling across the country, he worked at high-profile sites such as Amazon, Deloitte, and Gartner. 

Upon joining The Kennedy Center, where he orchestrates the culinary program behind Roof Terrace Restaurant, KC Cafe, and I-Bar, Hansen is in the process of revamping the offerings, incorporating seasonal ingredients and highlighting various aspects of American cuisine.His goal is to deliver fresh, exciting food with elements of surprise that will leave guests impressed by the dishes and delighted by the innovation behind them.

Chris is a true fisherman at heart, as a result of his childhood in Florida, which has ingrained his love of seafood. Over the years, his passion has grown as he experimented in spearing, lobstering, deep sea, fly, claming, and oystering. He incorporates all of which into his menus and home life—favoring dishes centered around the seafood caught where he is traveling. Hansen met his wife while working at Restaurant Associates, and together with their six-year-old daughter, the family enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, making the most of their proximity to the scenic Shenandoah region.