Hailing from Chattanooga, Tenn., it was there that JohnDavid Wright got his start in the kitchens of several hallowed fine dining halls of the South. After eventually working his way up to Executive Chef of The Flying Squirrel, he then took flight for new adventures out west, landing in Denver. With a Western resume that includes several stints under Chef Tommy Lee, including Hop Alley and Uncle Wash Park, he also counts assisting the opening of his sister Mary Allison Wright’s internationally acclaimed bar, Yacht Club, and their joint venture Door Prize on his list of successful career highlights. In August 2025, he took on the role of Executive Chef at Rougarou, a wine & cocktail-focused restaurant that highlights the culinary traditions of his family’s American South. His hobbies include stopping to pet all dogs, reading, street art, and traveling.
