Luxe Burger Bar

Just hearing the name “Elkhay” sends the Providence restaurant scene abuzz! Since he first burst into the Rhode Island market in the early 1980's, people have been chanting his name. John Elkhay is considered one of the industry’s top chefs and is also a well respected Rhode Island restaurateur, who has received local, regional and national accolades.

Upon completing his culinary studies at Johnson & Whales University, John honed his skills at several acclaimed restaurants including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and the famed Jared Coffin House. Finding his way back to Rhode Island, John spread his magic all over Providence turning local hot spots like Inprov, Catering Collaborative and Atomic Grill into gold. He pushed the culinary envelope in 1997 when he opened his first restaurant - the sexy, romantic and artistically inspired - XO Café . Now, John is the ever present, creative genius and culinary Maestro of Chow Fun Food Group, which owns and operates some RI’s most acclaimed dining locations: 10 Prime Steak & Sushi, Rick’s Roadhouse, Luxe Burger Bar, XO Café, and Harry’s Bar & Burger.

Just as his culinary prowess has helped shape the City into a dining destination, it is his efforts outside of the kitchen and in the community that have perhaps made an even larger impact. Ross Elkhay, the son of John and his wife Suzanne, passed away at the age of 12 from complications of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). While losing a child at such a young age is unimaginable, John and Suzanne counted themselves blessed to have enjoyed Ross for as long as they did, and poured their energy into raising money for CF.

In 2000, John and Suzanne, with the support of dear friends, launched Chefs for CF, pairing local chefs and volunteer hosts to throw a dinner party in their homes. Chefs and accompanying wait staff donate their time to the event while their restaurants provide the food and the hosts and guests provide donations that go right to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To date, the event has raised more than $300,000 for the organization’s research efforts.

Also in 2000, John and Suzanne founded the Ross Elkhay Foundation to support children and their families who are living with a life-altering or terminal illness. Fundraising activities include an annual wine auction and golf tournament, with proceeds donated to local children’s organizations, families of children with life-altering diseases, or other charitable activities, including $190,000 that the Foundation granted to the City of Warwick to build and support a handicap accessible fishing pier and boardwalk at Gorton Pond, in honor of Ross’ passion for painting and fishing.