ABOUT
Nina Compton is a celebrated chef and restaurateur, originally from Saint Lucia. She is the Chef and Owner of the award-winning restaurant Compère Lapin, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Known for her unique culinary style, she blends the flavors of her Caribbean heritage with French and Italian influences. Compton is also the owner of Bywater American Bistro, another highly acclaimed restaurant in New Orleans.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she honed her skills working with renowned chefs like Daniel Boulud and Scott Conant. Nina gained national recognition as the runner-up and fan favorite on Season 11 of Top Chef. In 2018, she won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: South.
BEFORE RICHES
Before achieving fame and success, Nina Compton built her culinary career through hard work and dedication. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, she worked with renowned chefs like Daniel Boulud in New York City and Scott Conant in Miami. She gained valuable experience at prestigious establishments, including Norman's and Palme d'Or at the Biltmore Hotel.
Her big break came when she competed on Top Chef Season 11, where she was the runner-up and fan favorite. This exposure helped her gain national recognition, paving the way for her to open her own restaurants, Compère Lapin and Bywater American Bistro, in New Orleans.
HOW SHE MADE 1st MILLION
Nina Compton built her fortune through her culinary expertise and entrepreneurial ventures. After gaining recognition as the runner-up and fan favorite on Top Chef Season 11, she opened her first restaurant, Compère Lapin, in New Orleans in 2015. The restaurant received critical acclaim for its unique blend of Caribbean, French, and Italian flavors. Building on this success, she launched her second restaurant, Bywater American Bistro, in 2018.
Her innovative approach to cuisine and dedication to quality earned her numerous accolades, including the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South in 2018. These achievements, combined with her growing reputation as a culinary ambassador for Saint Lucia, solidified her position as a prominent figure in the restaurant industry.