i. Biography
Chef and owner of Lyla Lila in Atlanta, Craig Richards moved into professional cooking at 25 and built his way through Atlanta kitchens before reaching the role that now defines his work. The throughline is technique over sentiment: steady accumulation, a practical eye for what lasts, and a clear commitment to pasta. In Richards’s cooking, pasta is not a side note. It is the menu’s anchor and the clearest expression of the Italian-in-spirit approach that has taken hold at Lyla Lila.
Coming Up
Early in his career, Craig worked as a cook at Lidia Bastianich’s eponymous restaurant in Kansas City, a step that helped shape the discipline and pace of his work. From there, his path led to Lyla Lila (since 2019), where he is chef and owner, and to Auburn University, where he teaches a weekly culinary course. The two roles place him between service and instruction, with the kitchen and classroom both part of the same practice.
Where They Are Now
Richards is chef and owner at Lyla Lila in Atlanta, Georgia, a restaurant that keeps its influences measured. Italian in spirit, it draws on Southern European culinary traditions while centering Italian cuisine, natural wines, and curated cocktails. The dining room frames the experience, but the kitchen sets the rhythm. The menu changes daily, which keeps the cooking responsive without changing its basis. That flexibility matters, but so does consistency where the work is most exacting. Pasta remains the signature work at Lyla Lila, not as garnish or supporting plate, but as the core of the menu and the clearest read on Richards’s craft. It is where precision and restraint meet the most directly.
Signature
Together, they show how Richards keeps the menu balanced between familiarity and surprise, using each plate to hold the restaurant’s point of view in place.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Craig
What is Craig Richards's current role?
As of 2026, Craig Richards is Chef and Owner.
Where did Craig Richards work before?
Craig Richards's earlier career included Lidia Bastianich’s eponymous restaurant.
What recognition has Craig Richards received?
Michelin-recommended Lyla Lila (2023).
