As the Executive Chef of Columbia Dining, Michael DeMartino, better known as Chef Mike, is known to many around campus as a crafter of good sandwiches and even better memories. Lesser known to the public is Chef Mike’s dabbling in various hobbies, all involving microphones. Since arriving at Columbia University, Chef Mike has rotated through activities such as stand-up comedy, beatboxing, slam poetry, karaoke, phone sex, hosting a radio show on WBAR, em-ceeing middle school talent shows, being a boom mic operator for student film productions, and making ASMR videos. When he takes on these various roles, Chef Mike transforms into Chef Mic.
While Chef Mike humbly maintains that his sandwich profession will always come first, Chef Mic has gained cult status among nightlife in Morningside Heights and Harlem. Throughout the week, Chef Mic can frequently be caught participating in Amateur Night at The Apollo or running The Heights’ weekly Tuesday trivia. Even simply mentioning his name in passing will send a buzz through any crowd, everyone eager to witness his craft.
Chef Mic’s most recent endeavor has been slam poetry. His poems, with their dramatic onomatopoeias and flowery language, chronicle his grandma’s story of making the first ever Grandma Sub. Chef Mic’s performances are known to bring even the harshest critics to tears, laughter, or rumbly tummies.
