We sat down recently with Chef Matt Kelly to ask what drew him to Durham, and how he hopes to shape its food future. After years sharpening his chops in kitchens around and beyond North Carolina, Kelly landed in the Bull City and found something he hadn’t quite expected: a community that embraces bold ideas, old traditions and the everyday pleasure of a well-made meal.
In a sense, his story echoes those of Durham’s other culinary voices — those who arrived with big dreams but stayed for the food, the people, the possibilities. Kelly’s restaurants aren’t just about technique or trend—they’re about connection, about listening to what the city wants and surprising it with what it didn’t know it needed. Here are Kelly’s reflections on Durham’s character, the ingredients he won’t compromise on and where he sees his role in steering the city’s evolving palate.
Listen to Chef Matt Kelly talk about the legacy of Nana’s in the video below.…