Raised in Cleveland with deep Southern roots, Gilbert grew up in a home where food was part of the family identity—his father an avid BBQ man with his own rubs and sauces, and his mother a gifted home cook who nurtured his early passion for the kitchen.

Gilbert has been featured on numerous national television shows and culinary competitions, Alex V America (finalist), Beat Bobby Flay (winner), Midnight Feast (winner), Cutthroat Kitchen (winner), and serving as a judge on Chopped Junior. His talent and personality have also been showcased on CBS Saturday Morning, The Today Show, HGTV, and a wide range of digital food platforms. He continues his competitive journey as a contestant on Alex vs America on Food Network.

His recipes and culinary perspective have appeared in leading publications such as Food & Wine, Coastal Living, Garden & Gun, Men’s Journal, Playboy, and O Magazine. Oprah Winfrey has long tapped Gilbert to cater her holiday festivities as one of her preferred personal chefs, and his food has been featured in multiple cookbooks including Oprah Winfrey’s Food, Health and Happiness, Art Culinaire, Top 100 Toques of Black Chefs, Adrian Miller’s Black Smoke, and Beat Bobby Flay.

A multifaceted entrepreneur, Gilbert launched his signature spice line in 2014, expanding into sauces in 2022. He is also the creator and owner of House of Birds & Drop Biscuits, a growing franchise concept celebrating bold flavors, soulful comfort, and globally inspired Southern cooking.

Gilbert joined Grove Bay Hospitality in Fall 2022 as VP of Culinary, overseeing all culinary operations for the group. Since joining the group, Gilbert has opened and re-developed more than 20+ restaurants taking the company from $65m to just shy of $100m in annual sales and reducing food cost down more than 2+ points.

In April 2023, he released his debut cookbook, Southern Cooking, Global Flavors (Rizzoli), further cementing his voice as one of the most influential modern chefs in America.