Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Chef Gerald fell in love with cooking at a young age. He recalls putting a step stool to the stove to make rice crispy treats. He would go on to work For Lou Rook at the Iconic St. Louis restaurant Annie Gunn’s, the same year the chef was nominated for a James Beard award.

Gerald also worked at Cielo located in the Four Seasons hotel under Chef Fabrzio Schneardi  learning the “Italian hand” and traditions of that cuisine. Gerald’s path then took him to Baltimore to work under Chef Michal Mina at his award-winning restaurant, Wit and Wisdom.

Gerald was tapped to open PBG at the Four Season’s Orlando where he was able to hone his skills with live fire and a rotisserie. Gerald made his way to Marco Island to take the helm of Ario. This restaurant dry ages in-house and offers diners a global nomadic lens through food. Gerald was chosen to be a contestant on Top Chef season 14 filmed in Charleston. Gerald also recently hosted his own dinner at the eponymous James Beard House in 2017.