Chef Amy Mehrtens

Executive Chef

Nearly all of Chef Amy’s childhood memories unfolded in the kitchen. The daughter of a chef and an army major, both of her parents were passionate cooks and exacting teachers. As they moved around the country and the globe—from Germany, to California, Georgia, Japan, Iowa, Virginia and New York—Amy received an expansive education in the flavors and traditions of different regional cuisines. 

After pursuing a formal degree at the Culinary Institute of America, Amy dove into the world of large-scale banquets at the Beekman Arms and Delmater Inn in Rhinebeck, NY and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. From there, she found her way to New Orleans, hungry for the diversity of flavors and cultures she had experienced in her youth. For several years, she worked as a sous chef for Commander’s Palace, one of the city’s most celebrated bastions of fine dining. From there, she served as the Interim Executive Chef at Cafe Adelaide, before joining the Copper Vine team in 2018.

Since 2020, Amy has served as the Executive Chef of both Copper Vine and Bonfire Elemental Events, the private dining and catering arm of Brechtel Hospitality. From casual weeknight meals, to festive wine dinners, her cooking presents a modern take on NOLA’s multicultural menus and social dining culture, with influences from her international upbringing.