Our Team
Ralph Brennan
Ralph Brennan is recognized nationally as a premier restaurateur, providing award-winning New Orleans-style dining in several cities, as well as steadfast commitment to civil engagement, and more than 25 years of service in restaurant industry associations.
A third-generation restaurateur, he champions great New Orleans-style cuisine. He is the owner and operator of Red Fish Grill and BACCO in the New Orleans French Quarter, Ralph's on the Park in Mid-City New Orleans, and the Jazz Kitchen located in the Downtown Disney™ District at the DISNEYLAND™ Resort. Ralph is a co-owner of Mr. B's Bistro and Commander's Palace in New Orleans and Brennan's of Houston.
A food service industry advocate, Ralph Brennan served as the 1995-1996 Chairman and President of the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the largest trade group representing the foodservice industry. An NRA Director since 1984, Brennan also served the National Restaurant Association as the 2000 - 2001 Chairman of its Educational Foundation. In 1997, The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association honored Ralph Brennan with its highest honor, the prestigious Gold Plate Operator of the Year Award. In 2004, The Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism honored Ralph's contributions to the foodservice industry with the Michael E. Hurst Distinguished Hospitality Leader Award. In 2005, The National Restaurant Association's Education Foundation inducted Ralph into its College of Diplomates for his commitment to education.
A local leader and friend of business and tourism, Ralph Brennan is Past President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the New Orleans Restaurant Association. He was named Active Member of the Year by both organizations in 1989 and was named the Louisiana Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year in 1999. In 2005, Ralph was inducted into the Louisiana Restaurant Association's Hall of Fame. In New Orleans, Ralph Brennan served as Chairman of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from 1996 Ð 2005, and currently serves on the Board of Commissioners as Secretary. He served on the New Orleans Aviation Board and as Chairman of the New Orleans Business Council. He is also a Past President of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and a Past Chairman of the Board of Children's Hospital.
In May 2003, Ralph Brennan and the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group were honored by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association with a national Employer of Choice Award in recognition of Ralph's commitment to employee satisfaction and the strength, quality and success of his human resources and training programs. The company was also named as "One of the Best Places to Work" in New Orleans by CityBusiness Magazine in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In honor of Ralph Brennan's employee-friendly post-Katrina business practices and the speed at which he re-opened his three New Orleans-based restaurants, Ralph Brennan was named 2005 restaurateur of the year by Tom Fitzmorris, a leading restaurant critic in New Orleans, a frequent contributor to local and national food publications, and host of "The Food Show" on WSMB 1350 AM Radio.
In April 2008, Ralph launched his first cookbook, Ralph Brennan's New Orleans Seafood Cookbook, written with national food writer, and former restaurant columnist and reviewer for The Times-Picayune, Gene Bourg. The four-color book demystifies the art of preparing Gulf seafood, with 170 recipes, a seafood cook's manual, suggested seafood and wine pairings and 143 color photographs by award-winning photographer Kerri McCaffety.
Ralph Brennan entered the family business in the early 1980's after a successful stint as a Certified Public Accountant with Price Waterhouse & Company. One of eight third generation cousins actively involved in the restaurant industry today, Ralph Brennan and his cousins run eleven New Orleans-style restaurants, nine of which are located in New Orleans.
