Chef Profile: Alex Yellan

Chef Alex Yellan traveled from Brooklyn, NY, to cook at our 15^th Annual Niman Ranch Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner. Meet Alex and, if in New York, stop by Pok Pok Ny.

Alex grew up in Phoenix, Arizona where he started his culinary career as a brunch cook at his parents’ business. He attended University of Oregon where he began traveling abroad and learning about different cuisines of Mexico and Spain.

Following his passion for food, after graduating from college, he began working at DF Mexican restaurant in Portland, OR. But, the desire to travel quickly returned and he spent nine months travelling in Mexico, Central, and South America. Returning to Portland, he returning to DF Mexican, and helped open Kenny and  Zuke’s Delicatessen.

Alex’s next move was to Alex Ricker’s Pok Pok in Portland where he worked for over a year before moving to New York City. In New York City he cooked seasonal American food at Back Forty and then returned to Mexican cuisine at Empellon Taqueria where he was on the opening team and sous chef.

Alex rejoined Chef Ricker after being asked to open Pok Pok Wing and then Pok Pok Ny where he currently works as Kitchen Manager overseeing the daytime prep.

We thank Chef Alex Yellan and his team at Pok Pok Ny for their support of Niman Ranch and our community of independent family farmers.