2023 Chefs

Washington, DC

CHEF RJ COOPER, a 2007 James Beard Foundation award winner for Best Chef (Mid-Atlantic) and Iron Chef competitor, draws inspiration from his 24 year tenure in the kitchen, ranging from cooking Southern food in Atlanta to working at Eric Ripert’s 3-star Michelin restaurant Le Bernardin in New York City. Cooper joined the The Oval Room and New Heights in Washington D.C. before becoming Chef de Cuisine at Vidalia in 2004. Rogue 24 is the culmination of his cooking experience, a concept born from his desire to go rogue from the ever-so typical fine dining restaurant.

Chef RJ Cooper is recognized for his support of Share Our Strength where he has been active in advocating the end of childhood hunger. Cooper served as a Chair on the Taste of the Nation Culinary Council and locally as Chef Chair of Taste of the Nation Washington, D.C. for 3 years.

Chef RJ Cooper resides in McLean, VA with his wife Judy and 5-year-old twin daughters, Bridgette and Ava. His daughters provide more than inspiration; they literally wake him up every morning.