About Chef Dallas McGarity

Dallas McGarity is the chef/owner at The Fat Lamb, serving modern twists on comfort food in Louisville’s trendy Highlands neighborhood. From shucking corn to shelling beans and learning his family’s heirloom recipes, the South Carolina native’s passion for food started with his mom and mamaw. He attended culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, S.C., and worked at restaurants in the city for many years.  

McGarity moved to Louisville, Ky., in 2004 and worked at several fine dining restaurants across town, including as executive chef. He fell in love with the city and, with the help of his wife Laura, opened The Fat Lamb Modern Kitchen & Bar in 2016. The small, open-kitchen restaurant allows McGarity to engage with guests and talk about his approach to updated classics crafted with seasonal ingredients and global inspiration. His upbringing in a farm community inspires him to source seasonally, sustainably, and locally.  

With more than 25 years of culinary experience, McGarity has garnered countless accolades for perfecting his craft. In 2024, chef McGarity was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for “Best Chef Southeast” and he won Food Network’s Chopped in 2019. He is a four-time James Beard House dinner invitee, a Louisville Business First Forty Under 40 honoree, and two-time Louisville Chapter ACF Chef of the Year — he and the restaurant have earned numerous other awards and accolades. He’s participated in culinary events like Euphoria, Charleston Wine & Food and Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. He’s active in charitable endeavors in his community including APRON Inc., Bourbon and Bowties, JCPS Chef’s Club and many others.