Interview with Chef Cory Bahr
Posted on Feb 12, 2013 under Archives, Chefs, Interviews | No CommentChef Cory Bahr learned to cook from his grandparents. While growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, Bahr spent many hours in the kitchen helping with the family catering business. He waited tables as a teen and eventually migrated into the kitchen.
Two local ladies who admired his cooking asked Bahr to run a restaurant they were planning to open in Monroe. In 2007, at age 30, he was approached to open Monroe’s Restaurant Sage as executive chef. In 2011, Bahr was crowned King of Louisiana Seafood, and fulfilled his ‘royal’ duties by acting as a national spokesman for the Louisiana Seafood Board’s Chef Council. And in June 2012, just six months after opening his own hometown restaurant, Cotton, Cory Bahr remained cool as a cucumber on the Food Network’s Chopped! handily winning the cutthroat competition with his skill, speed, and ingenuity. He has been named “Chef to Watch” by Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine. Bahr was in town to host and cook for the annual “Only in Louisiana” brunch honoring Grammy nominees from Louisiana. I sat down with the young chef to talk a bit about southern food, Louisiana culture and upcoming projects.