13 of the best chefs in the South you should be following on Instagram

If you’re looking to add some mouth-watering pics to your Instagram feed, then we’ve found some of the industry’s best chefs to follow. On Instagram, these Southern chefs offer a peek into their lives both in and out of the kitchen. Find out their tips and tricks and maybe even find some inspiration for your own cooking.

Niven Patel, Ghee Indian Kitchen in Miami, Florida

At his two-acre property in South Florida, Niven Patel has created a garden that brings a whole new meaning to farm-to-table. On his Instagram feed, you can find the fresh produce he grows and how he incorporates it into his restaurant, Ghee Indian Kitchen. His up-close and vibrant photos show what it takes to create dishes like coconut cake with passion fruit or smoked lamb neck curry.

Follow @ChefNiven

Vivian Howard, chef and author from Deep Run, North Carolina

The chef, author and host of PBS’s “A Chef’s Life” uses Instagram to showcase what goes on in her busy life. From cooking advice and adventures with her children to behind the scenes of “A Chef’s Life,” Howard posts about everything going on in her life.

Follow @chefandthef

David Bancroft, Acre in Auburn, Alabama

On this chef’s Instagram fee, you will find the beautiful farm-to-table dishes from Acre in Auburn, Alabama. Chef Bancroft uses ingredients from on-site gardens and local farms to create seasonal dishes that often change daily. If you’re looking for biscuits, fresh produce and seafood this is someone to follow.

Follow @DavidBancroft

Laura Lea Goldberg, chef from Nashville, Tennessee

This Nashville chef is showing that Southern food can be delicious and healthy. Goldberg uses produce from local farmer’s markets and strays away from using packaged or processed foods in her recipes. Her baked pumpkin spice donuts look like a yummy option to serve on Thanksgiving for breakfast.   

Follow @LauraLeaBalanced

Sarah Dodge, pastry chef in Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta pastry chef, formerly of 8Arm, The Little Tart Bakeshop and Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall, knows how to make a mean pastry. From tiny morning buns to wedding cakes, Dodge is a master of them all. Her dog, Fergus, also makes cute appearances here and there.  

Follow @sedodge

Chef Jonathan Waxman, Adele’s in Nashville and Brezza Cucina in Atlanta

With restaurants in three major American cities, Chef Jonathan Waxman is always on the go. His Instagram feed is full of bright and detailed photos of beautiful destinations, close-ups of what’s on his plate and even the occasional appearance of a celebrity chef.

Follow @ChefJWaxman

Richard Plasencia, The Twisted Fork Kitchen in Miami, Florida

The owner of Twisted Fork Kitchen in Miami knows a thing about bacon. And donuts. And biscuits. You get the point. The Ravenous Chef isn’t worried about counting calories when he cooks.

Follow @TheRavenousChef

Mark Buley, Odd Duck in Austin, Texas

Home-made pasta, fresh bread, croissants — you name it and you can find it on Mark Buley’s Instagram. The chef and partner of Odd Duck in Austin is continually showing how he works his magic in the kitchen with pictures and videos on his feed.

Follow @BuleyMark

Kevin Gillespie, Gunshow in Atlanta, Georgia

The man behind Atlanta’s Gunshow and Revival likes to show his fun side on his Instagram feed. When the Top Chef alum isn’t in the kitchen, he can be found trying out new dishes and traveling near and far. His next big adventure is to Alaska. Follow along to see what exciting food he finds on that trip.

Follow @ChefKevinGillespie

Meg Brent, White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails in Atlanta, Georgia

At White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails in Atlanta, executive chef Meg Brent creates innovative dishes that almost look too pretty to eat. Luckily, if you can’t make it into the restaurant to try the NY Strip or chicken and waffles, you can see what they look like on her Instagram feed. Brent also has a background in pastry so you’ll find the occasional sweet treat on her Instagram.

Follow @MegBrent

Nina Compton, Compere Lapin in New Orleans

Get a peek into the life of New Orleans chef Nina Compton on her personal Instagram account. From mouth-watering images of new restaurant dishes to snaps of the chef and her friends out on the town, you’ll get a full picture of this James Beard Award winner.

Follow @ninacompton

Michael Twitty, chef and author in Virginia

If you don’t already know of chef Michael Twitty, we encourage you to head over to Instagram and click follow. This writer and chef recreates the food cooked by his enslaved ancestors while at the same time working as an advocate for the increased visibility of African foodways and culture in the South. Twitty’s book, “The Cooking Gene,” was a 2018 James Beard Award winner for book of the year. On his Instagram account, you’ll find everything from quick pics of his latest creations to selfies with friends, fans and family.

Follow @thecookinggene

Sean Brock, chef in Nashville and Charleston

If you’re a fan of muscle cars, guitars, French bulldogs and, of course, fine Southern food, you’ll be doing yourself a big favor by following renowned chef Sean Brock on Instagram. His feed offers a colorful lineup of his interests, from food to dogs, so you’re sure to remain both intertained and inspired.

Follow @hseanbrock

Rachel Taylor is a staff writer at Southern Kitchen. She moved to Atlanta earlier this year after graduating college in Maryland, and has been a digital audience specialist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Politically Georgia, as well as a freelance writer for publications such as USA Today and the Delmarva Daily Times on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She has lived in France and Italy, and loves to travel.