Chef Cory Bahr

Cory Bahr sings the praises of north delta cuisine in the confident repertoire of dishes at his warm and welcoming Restaurant Cotton and his rustic Italian establishment, Nonna, both in Monroe, Louisiana. With a considerable appetite for the area’s traditions and cuisine, Bahr is loyal to the farmers and purveyors of the region that contribute to his style of cooking—presenting honest dishes with a strong sense of place.

Bahr is a culinary leader in Louisiana and is deeply involved in the conservation and preservation of his beloved South. His restaurants are a cornerstone of Monroe’s recent economic revival. He is a spokesman for the 2015 Louisiana Tourism Culinary campaign, a director on the board of the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association and the only non-New Orleans chef serving as a member of the Audubon Nature Institute’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries Chef Council.

Bahr has a national reputation for his inventive take on classic southern dishes and presents beautifully executed plates with a focus on the past infused with all the innovation and inspiration of the 21st century—honoring everything that’s important in his South: community, culture and culinary heritage.

2015 People’s Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine
2015 Louisiana Travel culinary spokesman
2015 Audubon Nature Institute G.U.L.F Chef Council
2014 People’s Best New Chef Gulf Coast by Food & Wine magazine
2012 Food Network’s Chopped! Champion
2011 King of Louisiana Seafood
2011 Chef to Watch by Louisiana Cookin’ magazine