Chef Derek Emerson
Derek Emerson is executive chef and owner of Walker’s Drive-In in Jackson, Mississippi. Derek grew up in Beverly Hills, Calif., but spent summers with his grandparents in Meridian, MS.
Fresh out of a small culinary school in Memphis, Derek worked for BRAVO! in Jackson, MS. He moved to Atlanta to hone his skills working for Nava, Buckhead Bread Company, and the Blueridge Grill. While in Atlanta, he accepted an executive sous chef position with Dick & Harry’s. During his time there, Dick & Harry’s was voted best new restaurant in the Atlanta Magazine.
After four years, Derek moved back to Mississippi to become executive chef for a new restaurant, Schimmel’s, where he met his wife and partner, Jennifer Emerson. When the opportunity arose for them to buy the nostalgic 1950’s diner in the heart of the Fondren district in Jackson, they snapped it up.
Under his keen eye, Walker’s Drive-in has become a regional favorite written up locally and in national publications such as Southern Living. Derek has also been a James Beard Award semi-finalist as Best Chef in the South. (2008, 2009, 2010)
In 2010, Derek and Jennifer opened their second restaurant, Local 463, in Madison, MS. Local 463 is a restaurant focusing on working with local suppliers and farmers to get the best possible products available.
Derek can be found most nights during the week, doing what he loves best, cooking in one of his kitchens.
- Download Derek's bio (341k, PDF).
Recent Links and News Stories
Derek Emerson and Walker's Drive-In in the news:
- Where Lunch and Dinner Reign Supreme in Fondren (Sipp Mississippi)
- Derek Emerson Named a Semi-Finalist for Chef:South in the 2014 James Beard Foundation Awards (James Beard Foundation)
- Chef Derek Headed back to Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (Atlanta Food and Wine Festival)
- Walker's Drive-in Featured in New York Times article "36 Hours in Jackson, Miss." (New York Times)
- Derek Emerson Represents Mississippi @ATLFoodAndWine kick-off Thurs May 30. Tix $65. (Atlanta Food and Wine Festival)
- First Alaskan Halibut of the Season Shipped to Walker's Drive-In (Sea-to-Table)
- Taste of Mississippi at City Grit: Recapping a Great Night! (EatJxn.com)
- Derek Emerson to Give New York a 'Taste of Mississippi' on March 7 (Biloxi Sun-Herald)
- Neal Fraser, "Iron Chef" Winner, Lists Walker's in His "Five Favorite Restaurants" (YP.com)
- Derek Emerson Featured in Relish's "12 Southern Chefs We Love" (Relish.com)
- Walker's Represents Mississippi in "National Rainier Cherry Day" (PDF -- Clarion Ledger, Jackson Free Press)
- Highlights From the Savory Side of the International Chefs Congress (Huffington Post)
- Atlanta Food and Wine Festival Advisory Council (2012-2013)
- Coast to Coast Collaboration (Jackson Free Press)
- Chefs Gone Wild (Garden and Gun)
- Wild Abundance: a Beautiful Cookbook for Carnivores and Hunters (Huffington Post)
- Where Lunch and Dinner Reign Supreme in Fondren (Sipp Mississippi)
- Derek Emerson Named a Semi-Finalist for Chef:South in the 2014 James Beard Foundation Awards (James Beard Foundation)
- Chef Derek Headed back to Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (Atlanta Food and Wine Festival)
- Walker's Drive-in Featured in New York Times article "36 Hours in Jackson, Miss." (New York Times)
- Derek Emerson Represents Mississippi @ATLFoodAndWine kick-off Thurs May 30. Tix $65. (Atlanta Food and Wine Festival)
- First Alaskan Halibut of the Season Shipped to Walker's Drive-In (Sea-to-Table)
- Taste of Mississippi at City Grit: Recapping a Great Night! (EatJxn.com)
- Derek Emerson to Give New York a 'Taste of Mississippi' on March 7 (Biloxi Sun-Herald)
- Neal Fraser, "Iron Chef" Winner, Lists Walker's in His "Five Favorite Restaurants" (YP.com)
- Derek Emerson Featured in Relish's "12 Southern Chefs We Love" (Relish.com)
- Walker's Represents Mississippi in "National Rainier Cherry Day" (PDF -- Clarion Ledger, Jackson Free Press)
- Highlights From the Savory Side of the International Chefs Congress (Huffington Post)
- Atlanta Food and Wine Festival Advisory Council (2012-2013)
- Coast to Coast Collaboration (Jackson Free Press)
- Chefs Gone Wild (Garden and Gun)
- Wild Abundance: a Beautiful Cookbook for Carnivores and Hunters (Huffington Post)