Eric Hunter

La Provence
New Orleans, LA

Born in Lubbock, Texas in 1973, Eric was first introduced to his love of fine foods by his father, Bob Hunter. In 2002, Eric decided he wanted to make cooking his career and applied to the Culinary Institute of New Orleans. While waiting on his acceptance letter, he was then offered a job at Pullman Hall in Augusta, Georgia, a catering company owned by a close family friend. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity to start working in the industry, Eric moved to Augusta in November 2002 just in time for the holidays. From there he moved around the southeast to various restaurants, working under a number of talented chefs such as Todd Schaffer of Able Brown Southern Kitchen and Oyster Bar in Augusta and Paul Albrecht of Spice Restaurant in Atlanta, gaining valuable experience that shaped his current culinary style. Upon his return to Fort Worth, he took a number of executive chef positions before purchasing the Fire Oak Grill in 2010 with his wife and turning it into an award-winning downtown gem in Weatherford, Texas.

Eric has competed on Iron Chef America and served as the Lead Chef for the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Delicious Wishes, a food event that raises money to grant wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. In 2015, the Eric and Jennifer purchased La Provence in New Orleans after falling in love with the long time cultural landmark. Officially taking over ownership in May 2017, the Hunters are dedicated to preserving the legacy that La Provence carries. The farm fresh menu is ever-changing in order to maximize the use of local, seasonal ingredients and provide their guests the phenomenal experience expected from dining establishments on the historic Northshore.