THE NOLA TASTEMAKER
Behind the renowned New Orleans restaurant August, is Executive Chef Corey Thomas. It’s where he uses French techniques on locally-sourced ingredients to craft world-class dishes.
As a Louisiana native, he has a deep love for the area—even honing his culinary skills at New Orleans’ iconic Commander’s Palace. This extends to fashion, too. Being a long-time Billy Reid fan he knew exactly who to call to craft his unique custom piece.
Being tall and lean, Chef Corey has always had a hard time getting his chef coats to fit. They were always either baggy or had sleeves that were far too short. He wanted an elevated chef coat that felt like Billy Reid.
After measuring him for the perfect fit, Chef Corey chose a silhouette similar to a chore coat, a classic chef’s collar, and Billy Reid’s signature heirloom ribbon stripe that peeks out when he rolls up the cuffs.
“I love the antique brass, the horn buttons and the stitching. The nice chef coats I bought in the past didn’t compare to the level of nuance and detail.” —Chef Corey
The result: a polished chef coat that he dons while doing what he does best: spreading that iconic gentile warmth and generosity of New Orleans while chatting with diners or while whipping up a dish.
