Born to an Italian-American family, Chiarello rose to prominence at a young age. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1982, he studied hospitality management at Florida International University, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 1984. The next year, he opened The Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove, Florida, and Toby’s Bar and Grill. He was honored as 1985’s Chef of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine.

His first cooking show, Season by Season, debuted on PBS in 2001. He hosted two more series for PBS, Michael Chiarello’s Napa and Michael Chiarello’s Napa: Casual Cooking over the next two years before moving to the Food Network to host Easy Entertaining in 2003. In 2004, Chiarello’s latest show, NapaStyle, premiered on the Food Network’s sister network Fine Living Network. Chiarello was included as a contestant on Top Chef Masters, winning his preliminary round and advancing to the championship round, placing second to Rick Bayless (first place).

Chiarello has been married since 2003 to his wife Eileen, with whom he has one son, Aidan, born in 2005. He has three daughters, Margaux, Felicia, and Giana from his previous marriage.

In 2011, Chiarello appeared in the Visit California promotional film aimed at boosting tourism from the UK.