Fabulous People: Aaron May

Who is Aaron May?

Aaron May, who has made numerous appearances on The Food Network, is the executive chef and owner of Lettuce Turnip Beets (LTB) Restaurants, which includes The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen, The Yacht Club, Goodwood Tavern and Over Easy.

What is Aaron May’s story?

Aaron May’s passion for good food came early as he grew up in a family of foodies. By the age of 15, he worked in a restaurant kitchen and by 20 years old, he left his political science major behind to enroll in the culinary arts program at Scottsdale Community College. Upon graduation, May traveled to Paris where he spent a year to study at Ecole Ritz Escoffier and work in Parisian restaurants to refine his skills as a classically-trained chef. When he returned to the United States, he took his first professional position at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North to work at Acacia before joining Deseo at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa to work alongside celebrity chef Douglas Rodriguez. May followed Rodriguez to New York City to learn the modern, deconstructionist approach to cooking that he still implements at his restaurant concepts today.

In recent years, May has developed partnerships to open his own hospitality group with restaurant concepts: Over Easy, (the popular playful breakfast restaurant with six locations), The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen (a cabin-themed eatery and bar), The Goodwood Tavern (a gastropub in Downtown Scottsdale influenced by vintage classic cars and a gentlemen’s racing event in London), The Yacht Club (a seafood retreat in the desert, right in the heart of Arcadia).

Aaron May and his restaurants have made national television appearances on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” “Best Thing I Ever Ate” and “Guy’s Grocery Game,” and “Guy’s Big Bite.”

Aaron May’s future dream?

“My dream is my reality,” Aaron says. “I get to work with my amazing partners and team at all of the LTB restaurants in Arizona and Colorado. I’m working on a new restaurant project in Malibu that is scheduled to open in spring of next year.”

What makes Aaron May fabulous?

When we asked Aaron what he thinks makes someone fabulous, he said, “Just like any great dish, it’s a careful balance of quality ingredients- charisma, confidence and curiosity, with a generosity of spirit, and a little stardust.” If you’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting down with Aaron, you will quickly understand that he is truly fabulous. He is not only an extremely talented chef, but he is also witty, kind and completely down-to-earth despite his great success.

Aaron May’s Favorite Quote?

“Find what you love and let it kill you”- Charles Bukowski