Ryan Rogers

Background

About Ryan Rogers

Ryan Rogers is the founder of Eternal Optimist Hospitality, a chef, and a Southern nomad. Rogers began his professional culinary career in NYC before the South dragged him back to the bourbon-soaked streets of Louisville. In 2012, Rogers rehabbed a 130-year-old brick storefront and opened Feast BBQ, a restaurant framed within the scope of his childhood memories of Southern barbecue and built upon a foundation of refined culinary technique. Feast BBQ landed on Eater’s list of Hottest BBQ Restaurants, and in 2014, Rogers opened a second location in downtown Louisville. He followed up with Royals Hot Chicken, an ode to Kentucky fried chicken and Nashville hot chicken featuring potluck sides. In the fall of 2017 Rogers along with executive chef and partner, Andrew McCabe, opened bar Vetti, a neighborhood Italian spot featuring fresh pasta, fancy pizza, and dope wine. Rogers’ restaurants have been featured in The Chicago Tribune, Travel & Leisure, The New York Times, USA Today, and Garden & Gun. As an independent consultant Ryan has worked for and presented to organizations such as Beam Global, Del Monte, Darden, Brinker International, and American Beverage Marketers.