Executive Chef John Nicely
Named Executive Chef in July 2009, Chef John Nicely oversees the dinning experience at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Chef Nicely enjoys delivering innovative dishes and fan favorites to thousands of guests at Buccaneers games and other special events at the stadium.
With more than 13 years in the hospitality food industry on his plate, Chef Nicely has cooked up clever culinary delights for everything from the Kentucky Derby to the MTV Video Music Awards. As noted in Fast Company's May 2006 issue, Nicely was most recently responsible for serving Shaq-sized crowds as executive chef for Levy Restaurants at American Airlines Arena, home of the NBA champion team Miami Heat.
Nicely adheres to Levy Restaurant's mantra of serving quality and creative food to the masses. Introducing innovative menu ideas including watermelon gazpacho, spicy tuna rolls and Asian noodles, Nicely has helped to increase concession sales and provide hungry game-goers with unique dinning options. "The Levy difference is in the 1,000 detail," said Nicely, who "wows" guests at all facilities from Flagship Lounge to Dewar's 12 Clubhouse and General Concessions.
Nicely is a longtime chef with Levy Restaurants. Before coming to Raymond James Stadium he worked for the American Airlines Arena and then for Levy Restaurants at Philips Arena in Atlanta. A Georgia native, Nicely enjoyed a successful career in the Atlanta area that included placing first at the Compass Innovation Food Show in 2001 and 2002.
Before joining Levy Restaurants in 1999, Nicely worked under Master Chef Christian Chemin at the Capital City Country Club in Atlanta and as Sous Chef for Araxi Restaurant in Roswell, Georgia. Nicely has participated in the Maitres Cuisiniers De France, the High Museum Wine Auction, and Mondavi Wine Dinner.
Nicely completed his education at The School of Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Atlanta.
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