Nina Compton

Nina Compton is a James Beard award winning Saint Lucian chef currently living in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Nina Compton
Born	(1978-10-16) October 16, 1978 (age 46)
Nationality	Saint Lucian
Occupation	Chef
Known for	Runner-up on Season 11 of Top Chef
Father	John Compton

Career

Biscuits from Compère Lapin in New Orleans, Louisiana

Nina graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. She began her professional journey at Daniel in New York City, working and continuing her culinary education alongside world renowned chef/restaurateur Daniel Boulud and his team.^[1]

After moving to Miami, she joined the crews of Norman Van Aken at the original/iconic Norman’s then Philippe Ruiz at Palme d’Or at the historic Biltmore Hotel.^[2] Eventually Nina moved to Casa Casuarina, a private club and boutique hotel in Miami Beach where she rose from Sous Chef to Executive Chef.^[3]

During the 2008 reopening of the refurbished Fontainebleau Miami Beach, combined with the chance to work with Scott Conant at Scarpetta, Nina joined the pre-opening team as Sous Chef and went on to be appointed Chef de Cuisine.

Compton competed on Season 11 of Top Chef. She was the Top Chef, Season 11 runner up and was voted fan favorite by viewers.^[4][5]

In June 2015, Compton opened her own restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana, Compère Lapin.^[6] Compère Lapin serves Caribbean-style cuisine and is located in the New Orleans Central Business District.^[7][8]

In March 2018, Compton opened Bywater American Bistro in New Orleans with Husband/Partner Larry Miller and Chef/Partner Levi Rains.^[9][10][11]

Awards

In 2017, Compton was honored with the "Best New Chef" award in Food & Wine magazine.^[12] Her restaurant Compère Lapin was named one of America's 38 Best Restaurants by Eater in 2017.^[13]

In 2018, Compton won the James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef: South.^[14]

Personal life

Compton is married to Larry Miller. She is the daughter of Sir John George Melvin Compton, who served as Prime Minister of Saint Lucia on three occasions.^[6][5]

References

1. By, IAN MCNULTY |. "Chef Nina Compton of Compere Lapin named to national list of "Best New Chefs"". The Advocate. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
2. "Nina Compton: Hare Apparent in New Orleans – Garden & Gun". Garden & Gun. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
3. "Chef Nina Compton". www.neworleans.com. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
4. Dixler, Hillary (February 6, 2014). "The Winner of Top Chef New Orleans Season 11". Eater.
5. "For this 'Top Chef' star, one tropical fruit represents both past and present". Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
6. Price, Todd A. (May 20, 2015). "5 facts about Nina Compton's Compere Lapin, opening June 2". NOLA.com.
7. "Menu - Compère Lapin". Compère Lapin.
8. Helm, Burt (2019-02-07). "Nina Compton's Work Diary: 'You Cannot Show Any Sign of Fear'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
9. bywateramericanbistro.com
10. Burton, Monica (2018-03-15). "'Top Chef' Favorite Nina Compton Debuts Second Restaurant Tonight". Eater. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
11. "Top Chef Star Nina Compton to Open Her Second Restaurant in New Orleans". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
12. "Food & Wine's Best New Chefs 2017". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
13. Addison, Bill (2017-11-08). "The 38 Best Restaurants in America". Eater. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
14. "The 2018 James Beard Award Winners". www.jamesbeard.org. Retrieved 2018-11-13.