Top Chefs in New Orleans
These chefs are creating some of the best food in the world
People come to New Orleans to eat, and for superb reason. Our game-changing culinary repast is world renowned, informed by three centuries of cultural gastronomy and an army of dedicated chefs and creatives. We have our own Creole cuisine, a legion of mom and pop corner stores that dish irresistible food regularly and a cavalcade of ingenious chefs intent on preserving the classics while others create new traditions. And some are wildly successful doing both.
With more restaurants in the city than ever, the culinary landscape is vibrant and evolving. Many of the city’s chefs (and some mixologists) have earned international accolades, from James Beard Foundation awards to inclusion in best new chef/restaurant line-ups -- because what they serve is just always that good. Here are a few of the top chefs around town, creators of an only-in-New Orleans never-ending feast.
Sponsored Content
Chef Donald Link
There’s a Link between fish and pork in New Orleans and his name is Donald. He has redefined…
Emeril Lagasse
Emeril Lagasse’s TV shows, cookbooks and restaurants helped to define New Orleans cuisine for…
Chef Ana Castro
Chef Ana Castro brings her Mexican heritage to the table.
Chef Serigne Mbaye
Chef Serigne Mbaye offers modern Senegalese cuisine with a Creole twist at his highly acclaimed…
Chef Nina Compton
From St. Lucia to New Orleans, this Top Chef alum fell in love with NOLA and the city has fallen…
Chef Isaac Toups
Cajun mastermind, Isaac Toups, uses his family roots to inspire him in the kitchen
Chef Mason Hereford Of Turkey And The Wolf
Turkey and the Wolf’s playful chef has become the face of perhaps the country’s hottest…
Chef Justin Devillier
Arriving in New Orleans with no formal culinary training, Justin Devillier decided he…
Chef Frank Brigtsen
Frank Brigtsen is still lighting a fire under inventive Creole cooking, just as he did in 1986, the…
Chef Alon Shaya
For Alon Shaya, a passion for Middle Eastern food may have started in his native Israel, but it…
Chef Brian Landry
Seafood king, Brian Landry, has made himself known in New Orleans.
Chef Martha Wiggins
Find Chef Martha Wiggins at Café Reconcile, mentoring the next generation of young chefs to…
Chef Adolfo Garcia
A native to New Orleans, Chef Adolfo fuses the tastes of local seafood and Creole dishes with…
Chef Meg Bickford
At the helm of Commander’s Palace, find Chef Meg Bickford keeping traditions alive while…
Chef Michael Gulotta
A rising star in the culinary world, Chef Gulotta owns two hot restaurants in New Orleans: Maypop…
Chef Alex Harrell
Now at the Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Chef Alex Harrell brings Southern cooking to the forefront of…
Chef Michael Nelson
Executive Chef at GW Fins, Nelson’s innovative work utilizes the brightest flavors and…
Chef Rebecca Wilcomb
A member of the Link Restaurant Group and a James Beard Award recipient - Chef Wilcomb is a strong…
Chef Ryan Prewitt
Through quick learning, hard work and dedicated mentorship, Ryan Prewitt rose from the bottom to…
Chef Stephen Stryjewski
Winner of the James Beard Award “Best Chef, South”, Stryjewski is the partner chef and owner at…
Chef Sue Zemanick
James Beard Winning chef, Sue Zemanick, made her mark on New Orleans years ago. Her new restaurant…
Chef Susan Spicer
Variety is the spice of life for Susan Spicer. A native of Key West, she is one of New Orleans most…
Chef Jason Goodenough
Chef-owner, Jason Goodenough, of Carrollton Market is more than "good enough." Chef Jason…
Chef Tenney Flynn
This seafood aficionado’s expertise has landed him on the list of New Orleans most celebrated…
Chef Tory McPhail
Chef Tory McPhail’s career grew, literally, from farm to table, and New Orleans is the lucky…
Melissa Martin
Chef Melissa Martin is a Louisiana native and the owner of Mosquito Supper Club. Her cooking is a…
Chef Dee Lavigne
Chef Dee Lavigne’s Deelightful Roux School of Cooking is the go-to place for a fun, hands-on…
Remembering these legendary chefs. IN MEMORIAM
Chef Leah Chase
An award-winning chef and an inspiration for a Disney princess, Leah Chase spent the last seven decades of her life creating delicious meals at her restaurant, Dooky Chase’s.
Chef Paul Prudhomme
His face won’t be forgotten – a visage equally sly and cheerful – and neither will his food, which you can still taste at K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen.