From farm roots to food TV, Chef Nick Wallace brings Mississippi flavor to the world stage.
Award-winning and nationally recognized, he fuses tradition with innovation—serving soulful dishes, mentoring youth, and uplifting his community through food.
About Chef
Nick Wallace
“I grew up on the farm. I know what the soil tastes like. And I bring that history into every dish I serve.”
Gifted, grounded, and inspired by nature—Chef Nick Wallace is a culinary force reshaping the Southern experience through food.
Born and raised in Mississippi, Nick Wallace brings deep-rooted passion and innovation to every plate. Over the years, he’s been voted Best Chef for Jackson, MS and named Best Chef of Mississippi not once, but twice (2020 and 2025). He’s a long-standing member of Best Chef America and continues to receive national and international recognition for his talent.
Nick has appeared on some of the world’s most celebrated culinary stages, including:
Food Network’s Chopped, Chopped: Alton’s Challenge, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Comfort Nation (Season 2)
Food Network Canada’s Firemasters
Bravo’s Top Chef (Season 19)
CNN’s NOMAD with Carlton McCoy
Voyage (France) documentary Unexplored America – Mississippi
In addition to competing and showcasing Mississippi’s flavor profile, he has participated in 50 States – 50 Chefs (Flavored Nation) in Chattanooga and has proudly presented five James Beard Foundation “Mississippi-themed” dinners in New York City.
Whether he’s curating five-star dining experiences or creating healthier school meals through his nonprofit, Creativity Kitchen, Nick remains committed to celebrating the beauty of food. His style is rooted in tradition, elevated with technique, and always grounded in community.
He is the Founder/Chef of Nick Wallace Culinary, Nissan Café by Nick Wallace, Hen & Egg in Jackson, MS, the upcoming Queens Café inside the federal building, Boujee Burger, and Burger + Fries by Nick Wallace Restaurant, which opened at UMMC in February 2025.
Grounded in humility and guided by purpose, Nick Wallace uses his gifts not only to craft unforgettable dishes—but to create lasting impact through food, innovation, and service.
Nick’s culinary mission extends beyond restaurants and recognition—it reaches into classrooms and communities. Through his nonprofit, Creativity Kitchen, he collaborates with local farmers and Jackson Public Schools to transform cafeteria meals into fresh, flavorful experiences. By working directly with school chefs, he helps develop menus that are both nourishing and crave-worthy for young scholars.
In 2025, Creativity Kitchen partnered with Whole Foods Market’s 5% Community Giving Program, directing a portion of sales back into a local elementary school—a testament to Nick’s belief in reinvesting where it matters most.
His commitment to community health and wellness continues through partnerships with Dole, Novo Nordisk, the American Cancer Society, and the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. He also serves as an ambassador for brands that share his values, including HOPE Credit Union, MARS Foods, and Mundial Smart Knives.