Chef + Partner michael serpa

Michael grew up by the stove.  He hails from a family of Cuban chefs, including his dad, grandfather, and two uncles.  He spent his summers as a youth at his father's Miami restaurant, doing whatever he could to get on the line.  During his high school years in Pennsylvania, Michael worked nights at local restaurants, getting a taste for the restaurant world.  When time for college came and his boxes packed, he decided to withdraw from Penn State (he'd make a terrible politician anyways) and do what he loved best, cooking.  After attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Michael made the move to New York City.

In New York Michael connected with the Olives NY group and worked under chef Michael Crain. After working at Olives in NY, Michael made his way to Boston to work at Olives in Charlestown.  He soon took over the kitchen at Neptune Oyster in the North End.  Michael started cooking at Neptune in 2008 and had a long run with much success, helping bring the restaurant local and national acclaim as Executive Chef.  Seeking a way to continue to challenge himself, Michael departed Neptune to open Select Oyster Bar in Boston's Back Bay, which opened in April 2015 in Boston's Back Bay. Select has been fortunate to receive awards from local and national press, including Boston Magazine (Best New Restaurant, Best Wine Program, Best Seafood Restaurant) Food & Wine (America’s Best New Wine Bars), Improper Bostonion (Best Seafood Restaurant), among others.

Michael lives in East Boston with his wife Lina who he met in the kitchen at Neptune Oyster.  When he is not cooking, Michael is an avid cyclist, and participated in the 2014 & 2016 Pan Mass Challenge to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry as well as supporting No Kid Hungry throughout the year with other various events. 

operations + First Lady Lina Velez

Lina was born in the well known coffee town of Andes, Antioquia in Colombia.  She grew up in Medellin, Colombia and came to Boston after studying engineering.  Lina was a long time employee at Gourmet Caterers and at Neptune Oyster in Boston, where she and Michael met.  After being wowed by her Garde Manger and salsa dancing skills, Michael and Lina were married in June 2008.  Lina can be found handling behind the scenes work during the day and on the floor at Select at nights.  She also has been known to make a mean Sancocho for Family Meal.

Sous Chef Arlex Valencia

Hailing from Medellin, Colombia, Arlex first began working in the kitchen while at Neptune Oyster.  He soon worked his way from shucking oysters, to garde manger, and to eventually lead line cook during his time at Neptune.  A key member of the opening team at Select, he moved up to Sous Chef and now helms the kitchen as Executive Chef.