Kelly English Biography

2009 Food & Wine magazine “Best New Chef” Chef Kelly English is inspired by the familiar flavors from his childhood in southern Louisiana and incorporates that inspiration into each dish he cooks. English currently implements this inspiration for food and service in his sister restaurants Restaurant Iris and The Second Line in Memphis TN.
Kelly English has had a great deal of success in a relatively short career resulting from his hard work and passion. After putting himself through college at the University of Mississippi by working as a cook in local kitchens English decided to get serious about his passion for food. He graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at the top of his class and studied both in Spain and France.
After years of working in some of New Orleans' most celebrated restaurants English went to Memphis with hopes of opening his own restaurant. He made that dream a reality with the opening of Restaurant Iris in 2008. In 2010 English was named a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. Also in 2010 he appeared on the Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and earned the Memphis Restaurant Association’s “Restaurateur of the Year” award. In February 2012 English was named Memphis’ “Prince of Porc” in the national COCHON555 competition earning him a seat at the 2012 Aspen Food & Wine Festival.

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