Howlin’ Ray’s

The story of Howlin’ Ray’s isn’t just about a restaurant; it’s about love—for the people in our lives… and the dishes that bring us together. Growing up in Los Angeles, Johnny Ray Zone paid his dues in the kitchen under chefs such as Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa. His passion for cooking would eventually lead him to his wife Amanda Chapman, a soulful foodie raised on southern hospitality. However, it wasn’t until a trip to Nashville that the Howlin’ Ray’s concept would begin to form…

On a fateful day in 2014, during a stage at Chef Sean Brock’s restaurant Husk in Tennessee, a local chef introduced Johnny to a dish that would transform his focus on food: Nashville hot chicken. It was love at first bite! When he returned to LA, Johnny brought home tales of all he’d experienced. Before long, he and Amanda ventured back to Nashville—and the hot chicken tour was born. They dug into the hot chicken scene there, learning about the people, the culture and the dish. No matter who was eating it, they were always enjoying themselves, even the ones who were clearly feeling the heat!