Rick Mace, Chef
Rick Mace's childhood in rural Ohio surrounded him with the rhythms of gardening, hunting, fishing, and
farming. His family's 100-acre farm sparked an early understanding of food at its source and shaped
the "field to fork" philosophy that defines his cooking today. After formal culinary training, Mace rose
quickly through the ranks, earning recognition as a South Florida "Rising Star Chef" and Palm Beach
County's "Chef of the Year." His career took him from Vermont to Las Vegas and ultimately back to
Palm Beach, where years spent working alongside renowned chefs—including Daniel
Boulud—informed both his discipline and signature style.
After a decade leading some of the most respected kitchens in South Florida, Mace set his sights on a
new challenge: redefining Florida barbecue. In 2021 he opened Tropical Smokehouse, a modern
Florida craft barbecue restaurant built on live-fire cooking, hand-harvested woods such as oak and
hickory, and an ingredient-driven approach rooted in the flavors and cultures of the Sunshine State.
The restaurant quickly earned national attention, including Best Chef South 2023 nomination, Southern
Living's pick as one of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in the South, and recognition as Best Locally
Owned Restaurant in Florida.
In 2025, Mace expanded the brand with Tropical Smokehouse Delray Beach, a fast-casual sister
concept featuring the restaurant's signature smoked meats, bowls, seafood dishes, and inventive chef
specials. Designed for high-volume service with the same unwavering commitment to craft, the Delray
Beach location reflects Mace's vision of making Florida barbecue more accessible while honoring the
region's culinary diversity.
Mace's cooking bridges the influences of Haitian, Dominican, Cuban, and Jamaican foodways with the
precision of fine dining and the rustic honesty of smoke and fire. His most popular dishes—Smoked
Brisket, Mojo Pulled Pork, Smoked Fish Dip, Gator Sausage, and BBQ Jackfruit—embody his belief
that Florida's ingredients and stories deserve a place on the national culinary stage.
Today, as chef-owner of Tropical Smokehouse and Tropical Smokehouse Delray Beach, Rick Mace
continues to champion a uniquely Florida barbecue philosophy grounded in authenticity, craftsmanship,
and a deep sense of place.
