Alexis Lawson, also known as Chef Lex, is a dynamic young chef from "The tastiest town in the South" Durham, NC (southern living magazine).  Chef Lex pursued a formal culinary education at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC with a concentration in Baking & Pastry. Her influences while growing up include her mother, who found joy in throwing lavish dinner parties, and her Aunt Tessie with whom she pretended to host cooking shows while learning the importance of utilizing ingredients on hand. Chef Lex pays tribute to her beloved Grandma Pete, who inspired her passion and drive with her "get 'er done" West Virginia mentality.

 

Her culinary journey unexpectedly began when she applied for a serving position at Bonefish Grill. Despite little commercial cooking experience, Management noticed her education at JWU and offered her a line cook position. Within 6 months she became an assistant kitchen manager and  3 months later promoted to kitchen manager, the youngest on a national level.  She continued to excell, earning MVP of the Eastern region while becoming a certified trainer. In Fayetteville, NC Chef Lex trained the staff of the most profitable store opening company-wide. She then furthered her expertise in fine dining at Ruths Chris and eventually J. Alexanders of Raleigh, NC. In 2017, the unexpected passing of Grandma Pete inspired Chef Lex to leave corporate kitchens and utilize her love of cooking and passion for people, which launched the Chef lex brand as a tribute to her grandmother. 

 

 

 

 

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