Brett Riley, Executive Chef of The Harlow was born in south Jersey in 1982. Growing up Riley’s family was a pinnacle player on his journey to be chef. Deeply rooted in the coastal charm of NJ his family has been in the service industry since the 1950’s. His great-grandfather paved the way with oyster farming and running a clam house. While attending Cumberland County Technical School he was awarded a scholarship to the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, NJ. After graduating he opened his own restaurant in his hometown in honor of his late father, S.R. Riley at the age of 22, where he spent his time on the South Jersey shore, alternating between seafood havens in the summer and Italian kitchens in the winter.

Riley’s professional journey led him to manage Poe’s Tavern in Jacksonville, FL and then later immersed himself in traditional Mexican cuisine, where he worked in some of New York’s Michelin awarded establishments. Making his way south during Covid, Riley was on the opening team of the upscale Mexican restaurant, Maya with Indigo Road. He later met the owners of The Harlow, which encompasses his coastal upbringing and allows him to pay tribute to his family’s seafood legacy while fusing his passion for all his culinary influences. The family tradition continues as his stepdaughter works at The Harlow, his fiancé is the Beverage Director at Hotel Emeline in downtown Charleston and when he isn’t in the kitchen Riley can be found eating his way around town or playing blues guitar.