Hi there! My name’s Riley Thompson

Hi there! My name’s Riley Thompson, and I’m a 42-year-old chef living in the vibrant city of New Orleans. Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, I grew up surrounded by the rich aromas of Lowcountry cuisine and the hum of my grandmother’s kitchen. She wasn’t a professional chef, but she could coax magic out of cast iron skillets and seafood so fresh it practically danced. I owe her my first spark of culinary curiosity.

After high school, I packed my knives and dreams and headed to New York to attend the Culinary Institute of America. It was a whirlwind—grueling hours, intense critiques, but also the kind of growth that only happens when you’re completely out of your comfort zone. From there, I spent years bouncing between restaurant kitchens in Chicago, San Francisco, and even a two-year stint in Tokyo that completely transformed the way I think about ingredients and technique.

Eventually, the pull of home brought me back to the South. New Orleans seemed like the perfect place to blend my classical training with the soulful, layered flavors I grew up with. I opened my own restaurant here twelve years ago, and every dish that leaves my kitchen carries a piece of that journey—whether it’s a duck confit gumbo or a wasabi-laced oyster po’boy.

Cooking, for me, isn’t just about feeding people—it’s about telling a story. It’s about honoring the past while daring to be a little rebellious. I’ve burned sauces, dropped soufflés, and once famously set off the fire alarm during a live demo. But I’ve also created dishes that made people cry (in a good way!) and inspired young cooks to chase their own culinary dreams.

Whether you’re just learning to dice an onion or you’ve been leading a brigade for decades, I believe there’s always something new to discover in the kitchen. I’m passionate about mentoring, experimenting, and sharing everything I’ve learned (and keep learning) with anyone who loves food as much as I do.

So welcome to my kitchen, where tradition meets curiosity and everyone has a seat at the table. Let’s cook something amazing together.

— Riley Thompson