CHEF SHAWN & LORA

Chef Shawn learned how to cook in his grandmother’s kitchen.  He has held every position in a restaurant; from dishwasher to busboy to server to prep cook to line cook.  He has been an executive chef for over 25 years.   Regionally, you may know him from his time at Chateau Pomije, Teller’s of Hyde Park, The Tousey House Tavern, and most recently Libby’s Southern Comfort.

Chef Shawn has cooked nearly every type of food; from the fanciest French cuisine to the simplest bar eats, but his passion has always been the flavors and techniques of Southern cuisine.  Drawing inspiration from foods of the Appalachians, the Low Country, Southern pit BBQ, Cajun, Spanish, French, and Native American influences, he believes Southern food is diverse and complex, yet approachable.  In his downtime he enjoys collecting bourbon and hanging out with his best girl; his hound-dog, Bella.

Our managing partner, Lora, has a diverse background in food & beverage management, weddings and special events, business development, and business administration.  Whatever the problem, she’s got a spreadsheet for that!  She has put in her time in corporate America, the non-profit sector, the golf club scene and Mom & Pop restaurants as well as launching two successful startups.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.  She has three grown kids and one very special son-in-law.  In her spare time, she enjoys refinishing furniture and upcycling other people’s junk. She can’t pass up a good garage sale, vintage shop or thrift store.