When Creole Goes to Cali

Chef Ryan Rondeno on the chefs (and burgers) that have fueled his cookbook journey

Acclaimed personal chef Ryan Rondeno’s distinct and innovative cooking style has reached a multitude of celebrity tastebuds—Lizzo, Stevie Wonder, and Mike Tyson, to name a few. His newly released cookbook, My Creole-Cali Kitchen: Louisiana Roots with California Flavors (Agate Surrey, 2025), presents more than 100 recipes formulated to fuse the bold, soulful flavors of Creole cuisine with the fresh ethos of Californian-style cooking. With step-by-step guidance, striking photography, and inventive takes on Southern staples, My Creole-Cali Kitchen brings Ryan Rondeno’s culinary know-how to the home kitchen—making elevated dishes feel accessible, exciting, and doable for cooks of all levels. We touched base with Rondeno to learn more about his culinary methods and the inspiration he found along the way. —Abbey DiIuro