Deliberately Southern

After years of holding head chef positions around St. Louis, Webster Groves native and James Beard semifinalist Ben Welch is cementing his legacy in The Grove as chef-owner of a pair of restaurants inspired by his family matriarch’s Mississippi roots. Diners can expect elevated Southern dinners and indulgent weekend brunches in a modern, homey space surrounded by Ben’s extensive art collection.

Let Em Eat

Ben tested and perfected the Lucy Quinn menu over six years hosting his famous eponymous pop-up dinners. Prior to opening the brick-and-mortar version, he helmed kitchens at The Midwestern, Six Mile Bridge, and Botanica, where he earned a 2022 James Beard “Best Chef Midwest” nomination.

As co-owner of Big Baby Q alongside his father, Bennie, Ben also built a reputation for dry-rubbed barbecue by combining the best of Memphis and Texas styles. Before running his own kitchens, he worked at Emeril Lagasse’s NOLA after completing culinary school at Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina.