Ray’s Boathouse announced that Iron Chef competitor, Chef Wayne A. Johnson has been selected as their next Executive Chef.

"Chef Wayne’s passion for beautiful food and extraordinary flavors, love of mentoring, and dedication to giving back, are the perfect match for Ray’s distinctive cuisine, trademark hospitality and commitment to community," says Ray's PR staff.

Johnson comes to Ray’s from the elegant Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle where he served as Executive Chef of the award-winning Andaluca Restaurant and Oliver’s Lounge since 1999. Previously, he served as Executive Chef for the prestigious Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco, and the Marriott Hotels and Resorts in California and Colorado.

Johnson has earned many accolades in his 30+ years in the food industry, including being selected as a “Rising Star” by StarChefs.com and Iron Chef America Season 9 Challenger. He has been honored to cook for the James Beard House in New York City on January 14, 2002 and taught a cooking class at the French Culinary Institute. He was also named one of America’s Top Black Chefs by Black Enterprise Magazine.

A Kentucky native, Johnson grew up as an “army brat” and traveled extensively, eagerly experiencing all the diverse cultures of the world. But the holidays always brought his family home where they celebrated with fantastic feasts prepared by his mother that became the inspiration for his cooking. He began his culinary adventures in high school working as a dishwasher and prep cook to save money toward buying his first car and continued cooking while studying accounting and business at the University of Northern Colorado.

He gives generously of his time and serves on the boards for Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, Culinary Wonders USA (CWUSA), UNCF Pacific NW Leadership Council, and the “Food as Art” for the Central District Forum. He participates in numerous community fundraisers and spends his free time mentoring homeless youth, teaching and training kids on how to eat nutritiously, and preparing holiday meals for area fire fighters.

Johnson will be in the Ray’s Kitchen starting February 6, 2012.