Casey Thompson (chef) facts for kids
| Born | January 21, 1978 United States |
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Current restaurant(s)
Duchess, Fort Worth, Texas (2025–)
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Previous restaurant(s)
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Television show(s)
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Casey Thompson was born on January 21, 1978. She is an American chef and restaurateur from Dallas, Texas. From 2020 to 2024, she was the main chef at Folktable. This restaurant was located in Sonoma, California. In 2025, she started working as a special chef for Duchess. Duchess is a restaurant at the New Nobleman Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.
Casey Thompson was a contestant on Top Chef: Miami. This was the third season of the TV show Top Chef. She finished in second place and was chosen as the "Fan Favorite." She also appeared on Top Chef: All-Stars (season 8). Later, she was on Top Chef: Charleston (season 14). She was also a guest judge on an episode of Top Chef Junior.
Casey Thompson's Cooking Career
Casey Thompson started her professional cooking journey at The Mansion Restaurant in Dallas. This restaurant is part of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. She worked under the head chef, Dean Fearing. Casey began as a prep cook, helping to get ingredients ready. She then worked her way up to become a sous chef. A sous chef is the second-in-command in a kitchen.
Later, she became the main chef at Shinsei. This was a Pan-Asian restaurant in Dallas. Pan-Asian means it served food from different parts of Asia.
Thompson was also the main chef at Brownstone in Fort Worth, Texas. From June to November 2014, she owned her own restaurant called Aveline. It was located at the Warwick Hotel in San Francisco. She named Aveline after her grandmothers.
In 2017, Thompson became the main chef at Morada. This restaurant is at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. She planned to open another restaurant called Georgette in late 2020. However, these plans were put on hold because of COVID-19.
Casey Thompson also works as a spokesperson for Terrazas de los Andes. This is a wine brand owned by Moet-Hennessey.
Folktable Restaurant Experience
From December 2020 to November 2024, Casey Thompson was the executive chef at Folktable. This restaurant was located at the Cornerstone Sonoma marketplace in Sonoma, California.
In September 2021, Folktable received a special award. It was named a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment. This award means the restaurant offers great food at good prices. Folktable kept this award in both 2022 and 2023.
The restaurant closed its doors in 2024. It had been open for four years.
In 2025, Thompson took on a new role. She became a consultant chef at Duchess. This restaurant is located at the New Nobleman Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.
Casey Thompson's Personal Life
Casey Thompson is married to Michael DeSantis. They got married in 2008. Michael DeSantis is a co-owner of Harumph Wines.
