Ryan Hardy
Ryan Hardy
Delicious Hospitality Group
Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones, Legacy Records
Cooking at:
New York City Gala Dinner
Ryan Hardy is the Chef, Founder, and CEO of the Delicious Hospitality Group (DHG), focusing on designing thoughtful, approachable, and cohesive experiences. The NYC-based group consists of Italian-inspired restaurant Charlie Bird, wood-fired food and Neo-NY style pizza spot Pasquale Jones, Legacy Records, wine and cocktail bar Ada’s Place, Sicilian-inspired Bar Pasquale, and Easy Victor Café. In fall 2020, Hardy launched the new refreshed onboard hospitality experience for JetBlue’s Mint Class, reimagining what can be done well on an aircraft.
After a successful and decorated career at the helm of kitchens across the country and as an organic farmer, Ryan moved to NYC and put his creative entrepreneurship and ambition to work by opening his first restaurant, Charlie Bird, in June 2013. Having built his career in fine dining establishments and hotels, he pivoted with Charlie Bird and combined his passion for the highest quality food, wine, and service into a more approachable environment, creating a new type of dining experience and appealing to a new generation of diners. Charlie Bird's Italian-inspired menu showcases Ryan’s inventive culinary style, balancing flavors and textures; it became an instant classic, receiving wide acclaim, including Restaurant of the Year by Eater and The Infatuation.
Shortly thereafter, Ryan expanded his restaurant footprint and opened Pasquale Jones. The Pasquale Jones experience features wood-fired food in a beautiful, comfortable space while maintaining the team’s high level of hospitality standards. Pasquale Jones rounded out its opening year as a media favorite, winning accolades from The New York Times’ Pete Wells, who named the Clam Pizza one of the “Top 10 Dishes of 2016.” Since debuting in the US, the Italian Organization 50 Top Pizza has consistently recognized Pasquale Jones pies amongst the best pizza in the country.
In 2018, Ryan opened a multi-experience venture in the Hudson Yards neighborhood, including Legacy Records restaurant, Ada’s Place wine and cocktail bar, and Easy Victor Café with a full-scale bakery.
Prior to living in NYC, Ryan worked in some of the most acclaimed professional kitchens – from Rubicon Restaurant in San Francisco to the Coyote Café in Santa Fe, and Rustique Bistro and The Little Nell in Aspen, CO. In his roles across the country, Ryan was named a Rising Star by the James Beard Foundation, a Top Chef by Esquire Magazine, a four-time finalist for ‘Best Chef, Southwest’ by the James Beard Foundation, and one of the ‘Most Sustainable Chefs in America’ by Slowfood.
As the CEO of DHG, Ryan’s role is constantly evolving; however, his dedication to creating memorable hospitality experiences for guests remains the same. In addition to his work in the kitchens, Ryan is integral in designing spaces, curating experiences, and leading the team. With humble beginnings, Ryan recognizes the opportunities that a strong work ethic and creativity can offer. He recently set up the Dream Big Dreams Foundation, which provides existing and previous DHG employees with start-up funds for their entrepreneurial ventures.
Ryan lives in NYC and dreams in Italian with his wife and two children.
