CHEF MITCH ARENS
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A NEW ORLEANS TWIST
Born in Northern Kentucky and raised in a family with a love for cooking traditional Southern food, Chef Mitch Arens was always in the kitchen. To hone his craft, he began culinary school at Sullivan University in Louisville. Upon graduating he made his return to the Cincinnati restaurant scene working at Boca and Nada. Joining that group provided him a multitude of opportunities to learn. Soon though he found his love for southern homestyle cooking was calling.
Having always been inspired by Cajun cuisine Chef Mitch decided to move to Louisiana and begin a new position at Randol's in Lafayette. This decision afforded him the chance to work and learn at numerous businesses, from opening Walk-Ons in New Orleans to being Chef/Merchandiser for Rouse's Supermarkets in the Gulf Coast. Chef Mitch continued building upon his training as Chef de Cuisine at both Calcasieu and Cochon Butcher, working with Chef Donald Link and Chef Stephen Stryjewski. Working along side these prominent chefs inspired him to not only source the best food and ingredients, but also to cultivate an atmosphere based on respect and value, to create a culinary family.
So, in 2018 Chef Mitch, along with his wife and daughter, made the decision to take his experience creating authentic New Orleans cuisine and return home. He first built a unique "NoSo", or North and South dining experience as Executive Chef at Hotel Covington. This style took the best that each region has to offer while paying homage to local culture. This all led Mitch to strike out on his own, as the Founder and Executive Chef of Southernly. He has continuously worked to curate an inviting Southern dining menu, and at Bayou Backyard, his latest food truck, he has done just that. His vision for comfort food and southern hospitality can be found sprinkled throughout his catering and food truck concepts as well as his pop-up Beards & Bellies BBQ, offering guests his innovative interpretation of traditional southern and New Orleans cuisine.