i. Biography
The Climb
Kitchen craft shows up here as range and repetition: training at Forest Park College and the American Culinary Federation, local chapter; then early work in Unspecified restaurants in St. Louis' Italian neighborhood and The Hill in St. Louis, Missouri, where pace, precision, and pressure set the terms of the job. Eric Brenner’s path then moved through stations that each demand a different discipline — Chef Tournant at St. Louis Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri; Chef Garde Manger at The Racquet Club-Ladue in St. Louis, Missouri; Banquet Chef at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri; Executive Sous Chef at Truffles in St. Louis, Missouri; Executive Chef / General Manager at Z in St. Louis, Missouri (from 2000); Executive Chef at Chez Leon French Bistro in St. Louis, Missouri; and owner / chef at Moxy Contemporary Bistro. That sequence reads as a working command of both mise en place and management: the structure of a pantry, the timing of banquet production, the restraint required by garde manger, and the broader coordination that comes with holding cuisine and operations together. Eric Brenner extended that scope as Consulting Chef at Kaldi's Coffeehouses in Midwest / Missouri and Consulting Chef at The Isle of Capri Casinos, while also founding Bold-Organics. The through line is practical rather than decorative: menus, systems, and service built with an eye toward scale without letting the details go slack. Today, Eric Brenner is owner & Executive Chef of Red Gravy, Executive Chef of Havana, and producer of Best Pancakes In The County (since 2026). The work remains spread across leadership, kitchen execution, and production, with no sign of a career narrowing into a single lane.
Recognition
Eric's honors include Best Chef of the Year nominee, Guy's Grocery Games winner, and Chef of the Year.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Eric
What is Eric Brenner's current role?
As of 2026, Eric Brenner is Owner & Executive Chef of Red Gravy.
Where did Eric Brenner train or study?
Eric Brenner trained at Forest Park College and American Culinary Federation, local chapter.
What recognition has Eric Brenner received?
Best Chef.
