RJ Yoakum Leaves Georgie Restaurant
RJ Yoakum, one of Dallas’ few remaining nominees for a James Beard Award, is no longer the executive chef at Dallas fine-dining restaurant Georgie.
Restaurant owner Stephan Courseau confirmed Yoakum’s departure to The Dallas Morning News on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
“It was my decision,” Courseau said.
No other details were given as to why the former French Laundry chef was asked to leave Georgie.
Background Information
The restaurant was honored in 2024 in the Michelin Guide Texas as a Recommended restaurant. Yoakum had already been recognized in news stories from Dallas publications as a pedigreed chef making some of the city’s most inventive plates. His eight-course tasting menu, $185 per person, right now includes sea urchin with spring peas; lamb with mushrooms, preserved rhubarb and cocoa nib jus; and cornbread ice cream for dessert.
He left Napa Valley and moved to Dallas in January 2023, leaving a job at chef Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry, one of the country’s most lauded French restaurants, with 3 Michelin stars. He became Georgie’s executive chef in mid-2023.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Awards and Recognition
His smoked tomato soup with grilled cheese custard won Best Bite at Chefs for Farmers, an annual food festival. Some Dallas diners started buzzing about Yoakum, and quickly, Georgie was packed with curious diners wanting a taste of the California chef’s food. In April 2024, D called him “the talk of Dallas.”
Owner Courseau said in a Dallas Morning News interview in 2024 that hiring Yoakum was a “gamble.” He was young, not yet 30 years old. While he didn’t have an abundance of leadership experience, Courseau liked his food and gave him the opportunity.
Personality and Leadership Style
Courseau uses a word others have.
“He’s intense.”
Yoakum did not respond to several requests for comment.
Impact of Departure
The timing of Yoakum’s departure comes just before the James Beard Awards will be announced on Monday, June 16, 2025. Yoakum is one of five nominated for Emerging Chef.
In April 2025, the foundation hosted a news conference with Yoakum, where he said the James Beard nod felt “surreal.”
“It’s something I’d dreamed about,” he said.
It is unclear if Yoakum’s exit from Georgie renders him ineligible for the award. The Dallas Morning News has emailed James Beard press representatives and asked for more information.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Current Status of Georgie Restaurant
Georgie remained open — and busy — on Father’s Day.
Conclusion
The departure of RJ Yoakum from Georgie restaurant has come as a surprise to many, especially given his recent nomination for a James Beard Award. While the reasons for his departure are not entirely clear, it is evident that Yoakum’s time at Georgie was marked by both critical acclaim and personal intensity. As the James Beard Awards approach, it remains to be seen how Yoakum’s exit will impact his eligibility for the award.
FAQs
Q: Who is RJ Yoakum?
A: RJ Yoakum is a chef who was previously the executive chef at Georgie restaurant in Dallas. He is also a nominee for a James Beard Award.
Q: Why did RJ Yoakum leave Georgie restaurant?
A: The exact reasons for Yoakum’s departure are not entirely clear, but it was confirmed by restaurant owner Stephan Courseau that it was his decision.
Q: What is the James Beard Award?
A: The James Beard Award is a prestigious award given to recognize excellence in the culinary world. Yoakum is one of five nominees for Emerging Chef.
Q: Will RJ Yoakum’s departure from Georgie affect his eligibility for the James Beard Award?
A: It is unclear at this time, and the Dallas Morning News has reached out to James Beard press representatives for more information.
