Chef James Lewis of Bettola

James Lewis cultivated his culinary style around Italian principles of simplicity and quality. As chef and owner of Bettola Restaurant, Lewis regularly returns to Italy to work and study with leading culinary masters, including Chef Antonio Pisaniello and Dario Cecchini. Lewis’ soulful approach to the culinary arts embodies his commitment to authenticity.

As a child, Lewis prepared Sunday lunches with his grandmother and in turn, inherited her love of cooking. Spending most of his life in Alabama, he wanted to do more than cook traditional southern food. His passion for learning the origins of many traditional items enabled him to create a dining experience deeply rooted in Italian styles of preparation and cooking.