Chef Randall Matthews, Owner of Rize + Rest Cafe is a native from District Heights, MD began his career in the Hospitality industry 17 years ago, working at some of the nations most highest regarded restaurant with some of the nation's top Restauranteurs.

 

Randall’s culinary journey started in Hyde NY, as a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. After his time there he landed a crucial position that would build his culinary expertise at one of Washington D.C.'s premiere restaurants-Bourbon Steak located in the Four Seasons Hotel. Bourbon Steak is apart of the San Francisco based restaurant group known as "The Mina Group" owned by Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur Michael Mina. 

Matthews would work his way into the Executive Corporate Chef role where he assisted in opening 23 restaurants all over the globe, extending as far as Dubai. He oversaw more than 120 Chef Managers and over 2,000 line level employees during this time making his position very crucial to the development and expansion of the Mina Group brand. This is where he developed his desire for ownership.

 

Matthews would return back home and become an Executive Chef at renowned Restauranteur Stephen Starr’s St Anselm. Here is where he began creating a buzz for his food chops. After his time here, Matthews would then migrate across the river to open Alexandria's largest multi-concept restaurant space, Ada’s on the river. Here is where he truly blossomed into one of the areas most popular chef. Write up’s in Forbes Magazine, Essence Magazine, and Washington’s Post Tom Sietsema to name a few. Ownership has always been Matthew’s ultimate goal and purchasing his latest property gives him the chance to finally do just that, Own his own restaurant