Meet The Chef



Meet the Chef

From a young age, Chef Ryan Summers was captivated by the artistry of cooking and fostered an enduring passion for exploring the culinary world. His childhood was spent not on playgrounds, but in the warmth of the kitchen alongside his mother and grandmother crafting meals for the family. This early immersion sparked a lifelong journey of experimentation with diverse ethnic cuisines and unique flavor pairings. Today, his culinary style exudes creativity and comfort, drawing influences from French, Asian, Italian, Southwestern, and Southern home cooking.

Born in Kansas City, Ryan's life journey took him through Denver and Atlanta, infusing his recipes with a rich tapestry of American regional flavors. In 2001, he relocated to North Carolina to pursue Sociology at App State. It was during this transformative period that Ryan fully embraced his true vocation - to be a professional chef and extend his artistic flair beyond his home kitchen.

Chef Ryan found his culinary home at Chef’s Palette in May 2015. Over the past (nearly) nine years, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication, customer-centricity, and culinary knowledge. Chef Ryan's talent for creating dishes that are as visually appealing as they are delicious is truly inspirational. Beyond his professional skills, Chef Ryan's respectful and charismatic nature makes him a cherished member of our team. We are incredibly delighted to have him leading our outstanding kitchen crew!



Above, the Chef's Palette kitchen staff, from left to right: Chris Judd, Christopher Herron, Michael Kanan, Michael Vanacore, Sous Chef Carie Hicks, Travis Bruno, Chef Ryan Summers, and Jordan Oke

In November of 2016, Chef Ryan and two other local chefs won the state-wide NC Competition Dining Event Series!


Chef Ryan is now officially considered one of the best chefs in the State of North Carolina!


To read about Ryan, his teammates, and their exciting rise to fame in the local culinary world, click on the link below:

NC Competition Dining
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