Chef Hansell grew up on the gulf coast of Mississippi, 45 minutes east of New Orleans. Surrounded by the commercial fishing and shrimping industry, his love of fresh ingredients and the local catch inspired him to begin a career in the culinary field. After Culinary School Hansell traveled around the Country working his way through some highly acclaimed kitchens in New Orleans, Birmingham, and Aspen. In 2014 He and his wife/business partner opened their first restaurant Oxlot9 in Covington LA and most recently in 2020 opened restaurants Thorny Oyster and Smoke BBQ in Bay St Louis MS.