Restaurants
10 independent restaurant owners
These ten independent restaurant owners have founded or run their own restaurants as owners and chef-owners. A reader can learn how independent restaurant owners run their restaurants from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Crystal Wahpepah
LinkedInExperience: Chef Owner · Wahpepah's Kitchen
Chef Owner of Wahpepah's Kitchen in Oakland since 2009. The profile describes her as a member of the Kickapoo Nation of Oklahoma and the first Native woman to own a restaurant in Northern California, and says her Fruitvale Village restaurant reclaims Native foods.
Einat Admony
LinkedInExperience: CHEF OWNER · Balaboosta / Taim / Bar Bolonat
Chef-owner of Balaboosta, Taim and Bar Bolonat in New York since 2005; the profile describes her as an Israeli-American chef, restaurateur, author and television personality. Her listed roles before that include Cook at Tabla, Patria, Danube and Bolo (1999–2005).
Erick Williams
LinkedInExperience: Chef Owner · Virtue Restaurant
Chef Owner of Virtue Restaurant in Chicago since November 2018, listed at owner level in general management, and Chef Owner of Erickcooks catering since October 2014, also at owner level. Listed roles also include Executive Chef at mk (1998–2017), which ended the year before Virtue opened.
Karen Akunowicz
LinkedInExperience: Chef Owner · Fox and the Knife
Chef Owner of Fox and the Knife in Boston since 2019 and of Bar Volpe since 2021. The profile says Fox & the Knife received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand in 2025 and was a James Beard nominee for Best New Restaurant in 2019. She was also Executive Chef at Myers+Chang (2011–2023).
Kiran Verma
LinkedInExperience: Chef Owner · Kiran's
Chef Owner of Kiran's in Houston since April 2005, at owner level in general management. Previously Chef Owner of Ashiana in Houston (1996–2004), also at owner level, which makes two separate restaurants owned and run as chef-owner in the same city across more than two decades.
Lisa Dahl
LinkedInExperience: Executive Chef & Owner · Dahl Restaurant Group
Executive Chef and Owner of Dahl Restaurant Group in Sedona, Arizona since 1995. The profile describes her as executive chef and owner of five restaurants in Sedona and says she has cooked twice at the James Beard House in New York City, with both events sold out.
Patrice Cleary
LinkedInExperience: Founder / Chef - Owner · Purple Patch DC
Founder and chef-owner of Purple Patch in Washington, DC since 2015 and of Joia Burger since 2024; the profile describes her as a DC-based chef-owner, restaurateur and 2025 DC Chamber Small Business Champion of the Year. She was previously General Manager / Events / Bar at Tonic (2003–2011) and a Staff Sergeant in the US Marine Corps (1992–2000).
Philippe Massoud
LinkedInExperience: Owner, CEO, Executive Chef · ilili Restaurants
Owner, CEO and Executive Chef of ilili Restaurants in New York since 2006; the profile describes him as founder and owner of ilili Restaurant and ilili Box, focused on Lebanese and Levantine cuisine and hospitality. He was previously Executive Concept Manager at Capital Restaurant Concepts (1999–2004).
Salil Mehta
LinkedInExperience: Chef-Owner · Laut Malaysian Kitchen
Chef-Owner of Laut Malaysian Kitchen in New York since 2011, Chef Owner of Laut Singapura since 2019 and Chef owner of Wau restaurant since 2021. The profile describes him as head chef and owner of LAUT Union Square, LAUT Singapura in Gramercy and Wau on the Upper West Side, among other concepts.
Vipul Bhasin
LinkedInExperience: Executive Chef & Owner · Coriander, Voorhees NJ & Indiya, Collingswood NJ
Executive Chef and Owner of Coriander in Voorhees, NJ and Indiya in Collingswood, NJ since 2004, at owner level in general management; the profile describes him as founder and president of both restaurants. His listed roles also include Chef-de-Partie at Taj Hotels (1989–1993).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's restaurants to your question, since a single neighborhood restaurant and a small group of several concepts face different decisions. Consider how long the person has owned restaurants, since owners of two decades and those who opened more recently see staffing, menus and growth from different angles.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide when a restaurant is ready for a second location or a new concept?
- 02What changed in your role when you moved from running the kitchen to running the business?
- 03How do you find and keep good kitchen and front-of-house staff?
Reaching independent restaurant owners
How can I contact one of these independent restaurant owners?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Wahpepah's Kitchen, Balaboosta / Taim / Bar Bolonat and Virtue Restaurant, based on profile data retrieved on October 9, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach independent restaurant owners?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these independent restaurant owners a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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