Chef Jeremy Ashby
Chef Jeremy Ashby is a native of Kentucky. He received his culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina in 2000. After pursuing additional training and experience (including working with renowned chefs Donald Barickman and Norman Van Aken) in Charleston and Miami, Chef Ashby returned to his Kentucky roots. He has been an owner of AZUR Restaurant & Patio in Lexington, KY since 2007. Chef Ashby also earned a degree in business and hospitality from the University of Kentucky. His culinary decisions are influenced by many things, not the least of which is passion for relationships and delighting people with food. “A meal should be about dining, not feeding. I like to mystify people with menus, but offer a flavor profile that comforts and tastes familiar. I love to convey a sense of place and season bringing friends to the table sharing the endless ways food becomes a common ground that ties together our lives and conversations."
Accolades and Distinctions
2012
Independent Restaurateur Magazine Indie Award Winner for Midwest Region
Washington Post article, January 11, 2012
Kentucky Restaurant Association Bluegrass Chapter Member of the Year
Kentucky Restaurant Association Restauranteur of the Year finalist
James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour Cane Ridge Cattle Company Benefit Dinner, Paris KY
Lyons Farm International Chef Showdown – First Place, October 2012
2011
Voted ”Best of Lex” in Fine Dining category— Ace Weekly Readers’ Poll, 20011
Bourbon Review Magazine article and recipe publishing, Bourbon Review Magazine, 2011
“Governor’s Gala” Kentucky Derby Gala for the Governor of Kentucky May 2011
Host Sunny Side Up In Lexington Radio Show on News radio 630 WLAP, May 2011
2011 CMUS Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award in the Restaurants category
Local Chef gets a taste of Celebrity Status— feature article, Lexington Herald Leader, May 2011
Azur Farmer’s Bazaar Opens in Beaumont Center— feature article, Southsider Magazine, 2011
First Place Winner— Kentucky Great American Seafood Cook-Off, 2011
Kentucky Representative— Great American Seafood Cook-Off, 2011
PGA Seniors Tour Kitchen Aid Demonstrations with national Celebrity Chefs, May 2011
Director AZUR Farmer’s Bazaar, A KDA registered farmers market, June 2011
2010
Dining— Showcased in Sophisticated Living-Lexington magazine, 2010
Creativity Reborn Locally by Executive chef Jeremy Ashby— Article in Kentucky Restaurant
Association magazine, 2010
Signature Dishes— Article in Kentucky Monthly magazine, 2010
Green Friends of the Games— Dinner at Governor’s Mansion with special host Ted Turner, 2010
Cookin”” in the Bluegrass— Dinner at James Beard House in New York, 2010
Original Recipe Posted— JBF Recipes on James Beard Foundation website, 2010
First Place Winner— Kentucky Great American Seafood Cook-Off, 2010
Kentucky Representative— Great American Seafood Cook-Off, 2010
Voted “Best in Lex” in Fine Dining category— Ace Weekly Readers’ Poll, 2010
Champion & Grand Champion Winners in Mixed Drink Challenge— Kentucky Bourbon Festival, 2010
Cookin”” in the Bluegrass— James Beard Foundation’s celebrity chefs dinner at Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, 2010
Guest Chef of Secrets of Louisville Chefs LIVE— First Lexington chef to cook on program, 2010
OpenTable Diners’ Choice list— Voted onto OpenTable list by diners, 2010
2009
Bourbon Buzz— Mention in The Bourbon Review magazine, 2009
Cutting edge-marketing— Article in Seafood Business magazine, 2009
Great Chefs and Their Restaurants in Kentucky— Showcase in bon appetit magazine, 2009
Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs— Television program appearing on MyTVQ2 station, 2009
New World Cuisine with Small Town Charm— Article in The Bourbon Review magazine, 2009
Voted ”Best of Lex” in Fine Dining category— Ace Weekly Readers’ Poll, 2009
Invited to Incredible Food Show, 2009
2008
Take it Outside— Article in Kentucky Monthly magazine, 2008
Awarded Best Entrée and Appetizer— Taste of the Bluegrass, 2008
Harmony may be found at AZUR— Article in Kentucky Monthly magazine, 2008
In the Kitchen with Jeremy Ashby— Article in Southsider, 2008
Flavors of Kentucky Cooking School— Article in Lexington Herald-Leader, 2008
2007
Dining Spot— Profile in Central Kentucky Lifestyle magazine, 2007
Prime Patios & Spaces— Article in Keeneland magazine, 2007
Awarded Best Appetizer — Taste of the Bluegrass, 2007
Invited to Kentucky Economic Summit, 2007
2005-2006
Azur voted best new restaurant in Kentucky— Prep magazine, 2005
Azur voted best new independent restaurant in Lexington— Ace Weekly Readers’ Poll, 200
Azur Awarded Three Diamond rating by AAA, 2006
The Allure of AZUR— Article in Business Lexington, 2006
Cool Chefs— Article in Nougat magazine, 2006