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About Me

BACKGROUND

  • Born & Raised in New Orleans
  • Based in Chicago
  • Wife a Pastry Chef, 10-year-old Daughter
  • Chef Inspiration started in his Grandmother Ina’s Kitchen
  • Age 16, Worked at famed Aurora Steakhouse in NOLA
  • Miami, FL – Degree in Culinary Arts and Food & Beverage Management, JOHNSON & WALES
  • 2003, Narcisse Champagne & Caviar Salon, Chicago
    • Chef de Cuisine
    • Executive Chef
  • 2010, Opened Frontier
    • Co-Owner & Executive Chef
  • 2018, Opened Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods
    • Co-Owner & Executive Chef
  • 2024, Opened Migos Fine Foods – Opening 2nd Migos in 2025
    • Co-Owner & Executive Chef 

AWARDS

  • 2025, James Beard Semi-Finalist – Outstanding Restaurateur
  • 2022 Food Network’s Chopped Champion
  • 2019 & 2020, James Beard Awards Semi-Finalist for “Best Chef: Great Lakes,”
  • 2020 – 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand   

MEDIA

  • 2025 McDonald’s Summer Smash Chef Remix Brand Ambassador
  • 2022, Lead Asian Carp Rebranding Initiative
  • Cooking Channel’s America’s Best Bites
  • Local News Segments – All Networks
  • “Check, Please!”
  • National Editorial Coverage: USA Today, Vulture, Martha Stuart, Forbes, Food & Wine, Southern Living, Bon Appétit Magazine, Chicago Michelin Guide, Architectural Digest, etc. 

 

Events Attending

Toasted

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    7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Sold Out
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    6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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