Brendan Pelley
Culinary Director of Xenia Greek Hospitality
Bar Vlaha, Greco, Hecate, Kaia, Krasi Meze & Wine
Brendan Pelley brings a wealth of experience (and genetic kinship) to Xenia Greek Hospitality. He has been at the helm of Greater Boston restaurants for over 10 years including Zebra’s Bistro, Pelekasis at Wink and Nod, Doretta Taverna and Gibbet Hill Grill where he has stacked up accolades for his innovative approach to both farm to table and Greek cuisine.
Brendan has had the honor of being a featured chef at the James Beard House and has appeared on FOX television’s “Hell’s Kitchen”, American Public Televisions “Weekends with Yankee” and Food Networks “Beat Bobby Flay”.
When not in the kitchen Brendan spends time exploring his other passions such as foraging for mushrooms, training jiu jitsu and other martial arts, and working in his home garden. He is also kept very busy with being a father to three boys; Miles, Cyprus and Lachlan…who are all currently undergoing rigorous training to become warriors in Pelley’s secret ninja clan.
Brendan has been named Boston Magazine's coveted Best of Boston award for Best Chef, General Excellence (2023) and received a glowing 3.5 star review from Boston Magazine's critic MC Slim JB for Bar Vlaha.
Some of his more recent accolades include:
- Kaia earned a rare 5 star review from The Boston Globe's Food Critic Devra First.
- Kaia was named one of the best new restaurants in the world on Conde Nast Traveler's Hot 25 list (2025)
- Brendan was named Boston Common magazine's Best of the City award for Best Chef, General Excellence (2025)
- Kaia was named Boston Common magazine's Best of the City award for Best New Restaurant (2025)
- Kaia was named Boston magazine's Best of Boston, Best New Restaurant (2025)
- Bar Vlaha was named #1 in Boston magazine's Top 50 Restaurants in Boston (November 2024)
- Bar Vlaha was named Boston magazine's Best of Boston, Best Greek (2024)
- Bar Vlaha was named one of the 25 best restaurants in Boston by The New York Times (April 2024)