Meet Ryder

At just 12 years old, Ryder Smith has already spent more than half his life perfecting his craft in the kitchen. What started as curiosity at age five has blossomed into a genuine passion for cooking that drives everything he does.

Ryder's culinary repertoire spans from the perfectly seared, butter-basted steaks that showcase his technique to the irresistibly gooey chocolate chip cookies that highlight his sweet side. Drawing inspiration from renowned chefs Joshua Weissman and Nick DiGiovanni, he's developed his own approach to cooking that balances precision with creativity.

Currently working on his first recipe book, Ryder is documenting the techniques and flavors that have shaped his young culinary journey. His kitchen is equipped with trusted tools from HexClad and Williams Sonoma, brands he relies on to deliver consistent, professional results.

This summer marks an exciting milestone as Ryder takes on his first professional cooking role at Roadside Rotisserie food truck, serving the community at the Moraga, California farmers market. Not content with just one food venture, he's also designing a custom ice cream cart that he plans to pull with his e-bike for mobile sweet treats around town.

Looking ahead, Ryder dreams of attending cooking school in Paris, a city that represents the pinnacle of culinary artistry to him. With his combination of early experience, natural talent, and entrepreneurial spirit, he's well on his way to making that dream a reality.

Whether he's perfecting a new recipe, serving customers at the food truck, or planning his next culinary adventure, Ryder approaches cooking with the enthusiasm and dedication that promise an exciting future in the culinary world.