Michael Zentner

Chef Michael Zentner is the executive chef and co-owner of Merci and The Drifter. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Michael’s career spans some of the country’s most respected kitchens. He became the youngest chef to helm a Relais & Châteaux property at Sun Valley, before joining Boston’s Gaslight Brasserie du Coin and later leading multiple Washington, D.C., openings for James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Schlow. In 2016, he returned to Boston as Culinary Director for the Aquitaine Group, overseeing nine restaurants. After relocating to Charleston in 2018, Michael served as Chef de Cuisine at the acclaimed Charleston Grill, working alongside Chef Michelle Weaver.

During the pandemic, Michael turned to breadmaking as a creative outlet, a pursuit that evolved into private dinners and ultimately the launch of The Drifter in 2020. Run with his wife and business partner, Courtney, The Drifter pairs Michael’s culinary perspective with Courtney’s design sensibility to create distinctive experiences ranging from intimate dinner parties to brand activations and destination weddings.

In March 2025, the couple expanded their vision with the opening of Merci, an intimate 24-seat European bistro housed in a restored 1820s townhouse. The restaurant reflects their shared commitment to thoughtful design, warm hospitality, and seasonally driven cuisine, offering the convivial energy of a dinner party brought to life. Merci has quickly become one of Charleston’s most sought-after dining destinations, now a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for “Best New Restaurant” award, along with accolades including Eater’s “Best New South Carolina Restaurant,” Resy’s “Defining Dining in America in 2025,” and features in Garden & Gun, Forbes, and more.

Across Merci and The Drifter, Michael is guided by a philosophy centered on seasonality, locality, and careful attention to detail, creating food that feels both refined and inviting.