Robert St. John

Chef, Author, Restaurateur & World-Class Eater

With passion for great food and all its accompanying revelry, Robert St. John keeps the South in the eyes of the world’s culinary scene … and in mouths everywhere.

As Executive Chef/Owner of the Purple Parrot Café, Crescent City Grill, and Mahogany Bar in Hattiesburg and Meridian, Mississippi, Robert is on the sharp side of the cutting edge of Southern fare.

As author, he has published five books, writes a weekly syndicated food column, and the list keeps growing. READ BIO . . .

Recent News

Weekly Column: Tough Chefs

Chefs are tough. They have to be.

Cooking in a professional kitchen is one of the hardest jobs out there. The pressure is high, the heat is intense, and the skill set needed at the upper level of the restaurant business is earned more than learned.

A lot of people get into the restaurant business because they cook a good steak in their backyard. This is how it happens:

“Say, Joe, that’s a good steak. You ought to open up a restaurant.”

Read the whole column . . .  

New Cookbook!
New South Grilling
May 2008 - Order NOW

All of the secret grilling techniques of the South are divulged by one of the South's premier Chef/Restaurateurs. Okay, we are kidding about ALL of the secrets, but if you want delicious recipes and grilling techniques that will help you make the most of an outdoor event, New South Grilling is your manual to success. Some of the topics covered are: How to grill fish without fear—and without burning it; Suggestions for grilling with your children; Versatile make-ahead marinades to use throughout the week; Common misconceptions about grilling; What non-Southerners should know about Southern food; How to prepare several meals with one grilling session; and Why grilling shouldn’t be confined to the main course. Sorry we don't cover how to light that 12 year old rusty grill you refuse to throw out.

Learn more now . . .

Press Q&A:
13 Questions for Robert St. John about New South Grilling!
Booksigning Schedule (and Appearances & Speaking Engagements)
New South Grilling! Cooking Demonstration Video

Order now via phone at 888.315.6774

Cooking Demonstration from New South Grilling!