Nola Kitchen, Lake Travis catering and personal chef Mike Thompson, provides quality culinary experiences – In Home Cooking Demonstrations, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Showers, Brunches, Weddings, Crawfish Boils, Corporate Events, Tai Gate Parties, Ribbon Cuttings, Pool Parties & Corporate Travel Pantry Stocking.

Chef Mike Thompson has been in the food and beverage arena since 1988. His professional training is from Johnson & Wales University at Vail. He was the recipient of the University Director’s Distinguished Graduate Award, the school’s highest award for culinary and academic excellence.

After several years of cooking in Vail and St. Louis; Mike returned to his South Louisiana home. He opened his first culinary venture, Chef du Jour, in 2001. Hurricane Katrina quickly altered the future of Chef du Jour. Mike joined the leadership team of Whole Foods Market during his family’s evacuation in Baton Rouge, then moved back to New Orleans to re-open the storm damaged Veterans’ store. Now settled in Austin, Chef Mike is excited to share his passion and knowledge through cooking, culinary classes and all things Cajun/Creole.

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I recently had Mike cater our office holiday party, 20 people. He met with me ahead of time to plan the menu, showed up to the party early enough so everything would be ready on time, and the food was fantastic! When dinner was over, he left the kitchen spotless. We had several appetizers, Cajun pasta, gumbo, a carving station with various spreads/sauces, and bananas foster for dessert, all served buffet style (as people were coming and going). Everything was extremely well cooked and well seasoned, and everyone at the party enjoyed the food. (Much better than my last experience getting a party catered, where everything was rather bland.) I highly recommend Mike for any of your catering/cooking needs.
Debbie Horvitz, 2 months ago
Mike Thompson rocks. His food is amazing, his passion infectious, and his personality makes the experience one to remember.

We had Mike out to our Lakehouse for the second time and as great as he was the first time- he exceeded our high expectations. Can’t wait until next time! Highly recommended – especially if you like authentic New Orleans awesome cooking!
Louie, 1 year ago
1. This should be a 5 Star review. Not sure why it is only showing 3 —. I must have clicked on the wrong star. Trust me- Mike is 5 star all the way!
  Louie, 1 year ago
Along with a couple close family friends, I hosted a four-course private dinner baby shower for my wife. Being new to Austin and having historically mixed results with contractors, I was on pins and needles for such an important event. During the due diligence process before the event, Chef Mike was patient, thorough and responsive as we collaborated to work through and ultimately agree on a competitively priced dinner menu. Oftentimes, contractors show up unprepared, and although they are providing a service, you as the client must jump in to ensure all the plates keep spinning in the air. This behavior does not apply to Chef Mike. When I increased the dinner headcount by 50%, he brought his wife along. Chef Mike was punctual and literally required no oversight. Each course was delicious and expertly prepared in an operating rhythm that synchronized with the attendee’s arrival and eating pace. All the guests, and most importantly the mother-to-be, raved about dinner. I look forward to my next NOLA kitchen dinner and encourage others to patronize Chef Mike.
James Wilson, 2 years ago
Chef Mike has catered our corporate crawfish boil since the beginning and does an excellent job! The shrimp, crawfish, potatoes and corn are superb and the seasoning is just right! I couldn’t recommend him more highly and we will look forward to having him for other events as well and ALWAYS for our crawfish boils!
Rae Gennarelli, 2 years ago
I have with Nola Kitchen chef Mike in numerous occasions. His food is delicious, his customer interaction is amazing and everytime we have his services everyone is so pleased we ask him to come back. Chef Mike is my number 1 chef to call anytime I need one.
Katherine Laboy, 3 years ago
I can’t give Mike and his NOLA Kitchen high enough praise. We had Mike out to our lake house for a birthday celebration and it simply could not have been better. Amazing food, service, and personality. It was a pleasure planning the meal, interacting during the prep process, and of course – devouring the delicious food….and then to walk into a kitchen post celebration that has been immaculately cleaned….nothing better! Highly recommended.
Louie, 3 years ago
For my best friend’s bachelorette party, we stayed at the Loft House in Austin, TX and Mike came Friday night to cook a four-course meal for us. To start, the appetizers were amazing. Brie with fresh fruit and artichoke bottoms were a hit. We had a salad with delish fresh shrimp, a seafood gumbo, and bananas foster for dessert. Mike accommodated one of our guests with seafood allergies and made her an entirely separate gumbo. He also gave us a brief history of Creole and Cajun food over dessert, which he cooked right at our table.

Mike was responsive, accommodating, and most importantly-an excellent chef! I’d recommend him highly for any group gatherings.
Adrienne Y., 4 years ago
Echoing the sentiments of Adrienne Y. – I was at the same Bachelorette party!

Chef Mike is an awesome person to hire for a private dinner! He was super accommodating, friendly, and prepared us amazing food. I would highly recommend this experience for any groups looking to do something different than your typical restaurant in Austin.
Alexandra K., 4 years ago
Mike came out to cook a 60th birthday dinner for my mother, her friends, and my husband and I. Three of us are Louisiana natives and have eaten many Creole/Cajun meals in our day, so we know what we’re talking about when we say this was authentic…and also delicious! Not only that, he was so entertaining, informative, interactive and made us all feel right at home. I feel like it was dinner and a show! And the icing on the cake: his pricing is incredibly fair and reasonable. Just wow!
Brittany S., 4 years ago
I recently had my corporate retreat at the UT Golf Club and I rented the Casitas for some of my guests. On the Monday night I was looking for something unique to do that did not require a lot of logistics. I remember Chef Mike from a wonderful dinner that I attended a couple years ago. So I tracked Chef Mike down and asked if he could cook for about 30 guests at one of the Casitas that I rented. He agreed and then we were off to the races. Chef Mike prepared excellent food, answered a lot of questions, entertained the group with his banana fosters and was very fair in his pricing. I would highly recommend Chef Mike for your private or corporate event. You will be in good hands and we plan on using him again next year. Everyone that attended the event gave Chef Mike the two thumbs up.
Dante F., 4 years ago
We just came back from Austin where we rented a house for a family event for 4 days. Chef Mike of NOLA Kitchen prepared three breakfasts for the 16 of us. The quality of the food, the preparation and presentation were top notch. In addition, he was extremely flexible, communicative and great fun. I highly recommend him.
Neta B., 5 years ago
Chef Mike cooked for us as part of a bachelorette party at a house we rented in Austin, and what a treat! It was wonderfully interactive and we loved hearing about the history of Cajun Creole, the recipes, and how to be better cooks! Everything was delicious, from the baked brie appetizer to the crab roumelade salad, shrimp etoffe with asparagus, and the Bananas Fosters for dessert with a fire demonstration! I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an incredible private chef experience! And to top it all off–he did all of the cleaning up at the end!
Melissa N., 5 years ago
Mike came to our house as a gift from our realtor. Mike cooked a special meal for us meeting dietary restrictions for several members of our extended family, somewhat outside his normal fare (i.e. gluten-free lasagna instead of Cajun food). He told stories the whole time and kept everybody well-fed and well-entertained. A delicious appetizer kept us busy at the beginning; the main course was filling and very good; but the highlight was the dessert, where he ignited a Bananas Foster for us at the dining room table (my favorite dessert).
Mike D., 7 years ago

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Nola Kitchen – Lake Travis Catering & Personal Chef

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Ayeee! Gnarly Gar’s 3rd Annual Fat Sat Party

LTFF Opening Night

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12th PIWTC Chili Cook Off

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Nola Kitchen – Lake Travis Catering & Personal Chef

Featured Events

Ayeee! Gnarly Gar’s 3rd Annual Fat Sat Party

LTFF Opening Night

Music Video Showcase

Carolyn Wonderland

12th PIWTC Chili Cook Off

Best of the Fest Party

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