Winner of the 2018 James Beard Awards “Best Chef: South” and one of Food & Wine magazine's "Best New Chefs 2017", Nina Compton is Chef/Owner of award-winning restaurant Compère Lapin in New Orleans' Warehouse District. Her second restaurant venture, Bywater American Bistro (BABs), is located in New Orleans' “Sliver by the River” Bywater neighborhood.

Born and raised in St. Lucia, Nina grew up with the flavors and beauty of the Caribbean. Upon completion of secondary school in England, she returned home where she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. Her wary but supportive parents arranged an internship with a friend's hotel in Jamaica where she fell in love with the creativity and camaraderie of the kitchen. Leaving the cozy, warm winters of the Caribbean, Nina chose to move to chilly Hyde Park, NY to study at The Culinary Institute of America.

Graduating in 2001 from America's finest culinary school, Nina began her professional journey at Daniel in New York City, working and continuing her culinary education alongside world renowned chef/restaurateur Daniel Boulud and his team.

With the excitement of the 2008 reopening of the refurbished Fontainebleau Miami Beach, combined with the chance to work with Scott Conant at Scarpetta, Nina leapt at the chance to join the pre-opening team as Sous Chef and went on to be appointed Chef de Cuisine, where she earned raves and accolades. During a star turn on BRAVO's acclaimed cooking competition show, Top Chef New Orleans, on which she was a finalist and fan favorite, Nina fell in love with the Crescent City. An opportunity with Provenance Hotels lured Nina to New Orleans where she opened her first solo restaurant, Compère Lapin, at the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in the Warehouse District.

Since opening in June 2015, Compère Lapin has received critical acclaim including Eater National's "Best Restaurants in America 2017"; a rave review in The New York Times. At Compère Lapin, the talented toque creates robust dishes that meld the flavors of her Caribbean upbringing and love for French and Italian cuisine, while highlighting the Gulf and Louisiana's beautiful indigenous ingredients.

Compton's highly anticipated Bywater American Bistro – which opened in March 2018 – features contemporary American fare, showcasing the chef's culinary craftmanship while focusing on seasonal ingredient-driven cuisine in a casual, convivial setting.

Beginning working his way through Georgia Tech waiting tables and bartending, Larry Miller volunteered to manage a wing joint for the sole purpose of having something responsible looking to stand out on his resume. What began as a resume enhancer became the beginning of a 25+ year hospitality career that quickly progressed to finer dining establishments.

When offered the opportunity to run Casa Casuarina, the former Versace Mansion, in 2006, he found more than a job. In the kitchen across from his office, Chef Nina Compton was in the kitchen.

Married in 2009, Larry and Nina began planning for their first restaurant in 2014. After a chance encounter with the owners of Old 77 Hotel in New Orleans, they decided that New Orleans would become their home and in 2015 opened Compere Lapin and followed with Bywater American Bistro in 2018.

Larry runs the front of the house where he is responsible for the service, beverage programs, and emotional counseling for the chef. He resides in New Orleans with Nina and their three dogs Rocky, Hank, and Buster.