Our Staff

Chef – Ryan Zale

Ryan Zale is the Executive Chef at Local Chop and Grill House in downtown Harrisonburg.  Originally from Ohio, Ryan attended culinary school at PICA in Pittsburgh, PA. Following graduation, Ryan worked as the sous chef at the Pittsburgh Fish Market in Pittsburgh, the assistant banquet chef at the Villa Christina in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Executive Chef at Grille on Seventh in Pittsburgh.  Before moving to Harrisonburg, Ryan had the honor to be part of the staff at the Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia.

General Manager – Amanda Zale

A LOCAL girl and graduate of James Madison University, Amanda has enjoyed being part of downtown Harrisonburg’s revival and emergence as a dining destination in the Shenandoah Valley.  Amanda honed her skills as a Mixologist and party planner at The Artful Dodger, worked as Catering Director at Joshua Wilton House, and helped open Clementine Cafe as the Bar Manager.  Along with her managerial duties at The Local Chop & Grill House, she is responsible for creating the handcrafted cocktail menu and selecting craft beers for the evolving line up of 16 drafts in the LOCAL Bar.

Outside of work  Ryan enjoys disc golf and home brewing and Amanda is an avid NPR fan.  Together they share a love for gardening, entertaining and of course, the pleasures of food and wine.