10/08/2026
CHEFS OF THE FEST: Chef Tory McPhail – City Grocery Restaurant Group in Oxford, MS
Chef Tory McPhail was born and raised in the small farming community in Washington. McPhail relocated to Seattle to attend culinary school at South Seattle College, finishing first in his class. At 19, McPhail moved to Louisiana to work at the legendary Commander’s Palace under James Beard Award-winning Chef Jamie Shannon and the Brennan family. was named a James Beard “Rising Star Chef” at the age 28, and won his own James Beard Award for “Best Chef: South” in 2013.
Chef McPhail went on to make multiple television appearances including on Bravo’s Top Chef as a judge, "The Today Show," "Food Network," and "Travel Channel." Chef McPhail was chosen by the US State Department as a “Culinary Ambassador” and traveled to Australia, England, Scotland, Israel & East Africa to explore the authenticity and global impact of cultures and cuisines around the world.
Currently, Chef McPhail guides five restaurants in Oxford, MS as the Corporate Executive Chef for the City Grocery Restaurant Group.
Find Chef Tory and over 40 other esteemed chefs from across Louisiana and Mississippi at St. Francisville Food & W**e Festival's Grand Tastings at the Myrtles on Sunday, November 15.