Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Ricks.
Hi Isaac , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, where food was more than just a meal — it was love, survival, and culture served hot. I grew up watching my Aunt Lula and other family members cook from the heart. Their kitchens were classrooms, and I was always front row. I’d watch them season without measuring, taste with intention, and feed people like it was a ministry. That’s where the seed was planted.
In my early twenties, I found myself in retail leadership, managing brands like Macy’s and Express. But no matter how far I climbed in the corporate world, the kitchen kept calling me home. Eventually, I answered — and haven’t looked back.
Over the years, I’ve blended business and flavor, earning my Master’s in Business and Leadership while working as an educator and lead teacher in Georgia’s Pre-K system. I’ve cooked for celebrities like NeNe Leakes, Dr. Contessa, Y’Anna Crawley, Trina, Amber Bullock, and even Tiger Woods — but what I cherish most is using my culinary gifts to tell stories, celebrate culture, and create unforgettable moments.
Today, as Chef Isaac ATL, I bring a mix of Southern soul, Chicago grit, and luxury presentation to every plate I serve. I don’t just cook — I create experiences. Because food, to me, is about legacy. It’s about honoring the people who came before me while feeding the dreams of those still rising.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not even close — the road has been anything but smooth. It’s been cracked, twisted, and at times, damn near unbearable.
Behind every beautifully plated dish I serve is a story — of heartbreak, survival, and hard-earned healing. I’ve battled depression. I’ve had moments where I questioned if life was worth holding onto. I’ve stood on the edge of giving up — literally. There was a time I attempted to take my own life, because the weight of it all felt too heavy, and I couldn’t see a way out.
I’ve lost people I never imagined life without — including father figures, mother, father, siblings and family members who helped raise me. The grief of losing them still echoes through my life, but I’ve learned to turn that pain into purpose. And heartbreak? I’ve loved hard and lost harder. The kind of loss that doesn’t just break your heart, but shatters your spirit for a while.
There were seasons I had to smile while silently screaming. Times I fed others while starving emotionally and mentally. But somehow, by grace, grit, and a whole lot of prayer, I kept going.
Cooking became my therapy. Teaching became my anchor. And every time I chose to stay, to rise, to create — I reclaimed a piece of myself.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s mine. And it made me the man, the chef, and the testimony I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a culinary storyteller. I don’t just cook — I create experiences.
As Chef Isaac ATL, I specialize in luxury private dining with soul. My food is rooted in flavor, elevated in presentation, and infused with emotion. Whether it’s an intimate dinner party, a celebrity event, or a private in-home experience, I bring the vibe, the flavor, and the story to the table.
I’m known for plating soul food with a five-star aesthetic — think lamb chops with a southern twist, seafood pasta with depth, and peach cobbler that tastes like Sunday memories. Every dish is personal. It reflects where I’ve been, who I am, and how I want people to feel when they take that first bite: seen, loved, and satisfied.
I’ve cooked for names like NeNe Leakes, Dr. Contessa, Trina, Amber Bullock, Y’Anna Crawley, and Tiger Woods. But what I’m most proud of is the way my work heals and connects people. Whether it’s a client tasting my food and tearing up from the nostalgia, or a dinner that opens space for conversation and community — that’s what fills me.
What sets me apart is the authenticity I bring. I’m not trying to copy trends — I am the trend. I fuse my background in leadership, education, and my personal journey into everything I serve. I bring heart, hospitality, and a whole lot of flavor — and I do it unapologetically as a Black, gay man who turned his pain into power and his passion into purpose.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe risk is the price of growth — and if you’re not willing to bet on yourself, don’t expect anyone else to.
I’ve taken some major risks in my life, many of which weren’t glamorous. Leaving stable jobs. Starting over in new cities. Rebranding myself. Opening my heart again after betrayal. Choosing to heal out loud. Risk isn’t always about launching a business — sometimes it’s as simple and terrifying as choosing to live when everything in you wants to give up.
One of the biggest risks I ever took was walking away from the comfort of a traditional career path to pursue what actually set my soul on fire — food, storytelling, and service. I had no investors. No blueprint. Just a dream, a gift, and the audacity to believe that I could create a seat at the table if none existed for me.
Being a Black gay man in the South, showing up authentically in both the culinary and education space, is a risk in itself. But I’ve learned that playing small won’t protect you — it only delays your destiny. Every major moment in my life was preceded by a scary, uncomfortable leap. And every time I chose courage over comfort, I came out stronger, wiser, and more aligned.
So no, I don’t see risk as reckless. I see it as necessary. Risk is faith in motion. And if you want a life that’s meaningful — not just safe — you’ve got to be willing to jump, even if your voice shakes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Chef Isaac ATL
- Facebook: Isaac Lashawn Ricks
Image Credits
Chef Isaac ATL
