Meet Chef Ry of Ry's Table!

Sunday, September 1, 2024

You've probably seen Chef Ryanne Rothenberg at farmers markets or food events around town! Her local slow food company, Ry's Table, offers private dinners, community dinners, classes, consultations and more. Chef Ry is an Educational Chef, with a Masters of Public Health & Certified Ayurveda Wellness Coach. Her unique background in Ayurveda and Public Health is reflected in Ry's Table's core values, that food is medicine guided by seasonal availability.

This week we have Chef Ry's Beef Japchae meal kit on the menu in partnership with Georgia Organics' Farmer Champion Week! Farmer Champion Week, running September 6-13, is a celebration of the Georgia chefs and restaurants who prioritize sourcing local and organic ingredients. This year the Farmer Champion Week highlighted veggie is none other than local mushrooms! Chef Ry, a noted Farmer Champion, created this Beef Japchae meal kit exclusively for G&G to highlight shiitake mushrooms grown by Ellijay Mushrooms in Ellijay, GA. G&G will donate 20% of proceeds on Ry's meal kit straight to Georgia Organics, along with 20% of proceeds on groceries from other noted Farmer Champion businesses. (Click here to browse Farmer Champion groceries!)

We asked Ry a few questions about eating locally, how she got started as a chef, and her best piece of advice for our home chefs. Keep reading to learn more!

Tell us about Ry’s Table!

Ry’s Table prepares delicious meals, featuring global flavors, from locally grown seasonal ingredients. We do this through events, cooking classes, and consultations hosted in our private outdoor kitchen we call the "Garden Club". We are rooted in the belief that nourishing, seasonal, locally grown food should be accessible to all and it drives much of our partnerships, community giving and education opportunities.

How did you first get into cooking? What are your biggest inspirations?

My dad was a professionally trained chef and a big inspiration to me growing up. I assisted him in the kitchen from a young age hosting large scale parties, private events and catering yoga retreats. I then spent my teens and early twenties working in the farm-to-table services industry at Portland Farmers Markets and fine dining restaurants, which shaped my passion for slow food. While working abroad and living in Thailand for the later half of my twenties, I fell in love with the local food, herbal medicine and working with spices. My global travels remain one of my largest influences on the food I cook today, which has a fusion of Asian flavors and Ayurveda knowledge.

How would you describe your culinary style?

A slow food holistic chef, cooking global to local flavors

What’s the one kitchen tool you couldn’t live without?

My wok and turner (I think that's 2 though...?)

What does it mean to you to be a Georgia Organics Farmer Champion?

As a Georgia Organics Farmer Champion, I prioritize sourcing local produce from small sustainable and organic farms. The values of my business, Ry's Table ensures that we bring our customers the highest quality, in season ingredients that in turn re-invests in our local food economy.

What’s your best piece of advice for G&G home chefs?

It's ok to go off recipe, the best cooks do!

Do you have any events coming up as part of your Garden Club?

We currently have two monthly happenings in the Garden Club:

Common Grounds, Wellness through Food & Movement every 2nd Sunday from 9AM to Noon. A monthly community drop-in gathering for folks to enjoy offerings like yoga and sound healing, while noshing on brunch by Chef Ry and adaptogenic elixirs by Astronutco. Participation NOT required. This is an open house event for folks to enjoy the garden and connect with the community. Come when you like and stay as long as you like. Sliding scale $20-$40 payment on site. NEXT: September 8th (info below!)

Garden Supper Club, a multi-coursed family style dinner every 4th Saturday in Ry’s private garden. Meals are inspired by global flavors and seasonal availability, featuring produce from the garden. Evenings often end fireside where guests are invited to lounge after the meal.

These intimate events are intended to bring strangers together around food and connect our community. All beverages are included in pricing and dietary restrictions are recognized. NEXT: September 28th - get your tickets at https://www.rystable.com/garden

Join the Garden Club Newsletter so you know what's upcoming: https://mailchi.mp/037cadbe2637/rystable-newsletter