Born and raised in Lexington, Brian Walters brings over two decades of dedicated service to the city’s dynamic food and beverage scene. Walters launched his hospitality career in Detroit, Michigan as a server, working his way up in establishments including Dudley’s on Short and Local Feed before joining 21c Lexington team in 2017. Now serving as the Food & Beverage Director, Brian strives to create an atmosphere where every guest feels not only welcomed, but also immersed in a culinary journey. He is driven by the belief that food and wine have the power to create lasting memories and connections, making every dining experience a unique and meaningful one. Brian remains deeply connected to his roots in Lexington, where he continues to contribute to the local community. His love for the city and its culinary offerings serves as a driving force behind his commitment to bringing the best of the region to the guests he serves, leaving a lasting impression to all those who have the pleasure of experiencing his hospitality. In his spare time, you can often find Brian exploring the latest culinary trends, seeking inspiration for new dishes and beverages and spending time with his wife, new baby girl and dogs on their farm.
Stephen Holden, part of the original opening team at Lockbox inside 21c Museum Hotel Lexington, now leads the kitchen as Executive Chef, bringing a thoughtful, seasonal perspective to the restaurant’s evolving culinary identity. A Lexington native and longtime contributor to the region’s food scene, Holden has helped shape Lockbox’s creative direction since its inception, with a focus on regional sourcing and globally influenced techniques.
Holden’s menus are driven by the seasons and informed by his exploration of global cuisines—his travels have helped define a style that is ingredient-driven, technique-forward, and conceptually layered. With an academic background in philosophy from Transylvania University, Holden brings a deliberate, intentional approach to cooking—one that balances the practical demands of the kitchen with a deeper inquiry into what food means and how it’s experienced.
Drawing influence from chefs and authors like Sean Brock, Melissa Martin, William Dissen, Jason Hammel, and Jeremy Fox, Holden’s work showcases a reverence for Kentucky ingredients, often reimagined through a contemporary lens. Rather than conforming to a single culinary style, he blends tradition, personal experience, and contemporary technique into a distinctive and evolving approach.
When he’s not in the kitchen, Holden is likely spending weekends with his partner Rachel and their dog Bernard sharing meals, having adventures, exploring estate sales, crate-digging for vinyl, and flower gardening.
The 21c Selects program is bringing you an exclusive new way of enjoying Kentucky’s favorite spirits. Our hand-picked barrels have been bottled in limited quantities for our guests to enjoy. You can enjoy these as tasting flights in Lockbox and if you love it, you can go ahead and take a whole bottle home from our museum shop. The Buffalo … Continued
The 21c Selects program is bringing you an exclusive new way of enjoying Kentucky’s favorite spirits. Our hand-picked barrels have been bottled in limited quantities for our guests to enjoy. You can enjoy these as tasting flights in Lockbox and if you love it, you can go ahead and take a whole bottle home from our museum shop. The Old … Continued
The 21c Selects program is bringing you an exclusive new way of enjoying Kentucky’s favorite spirits. Our hand-picked barrels have been bottled in limited quantities for our guests to enjoy. You can enjoy these as tasting flights in Lockbox and if you love it, you can go ahead and take a whole bottle home from our museum shop. The Smooth … Continued
The 21c Selects program is bringing you an exclusive new way of enjoying Kentucky’s favorite spirits. Our hand-picked barrels have been bottled in limited quantities for our guests to enjoy. You can enjoy these as tasting flights in Lockbox and if you love it, you can go ahead and take a whole bottle home from our museum shop. The Smooth … Continued
The 21c Selects program is bringing you an exclusive new way of enjoying Kentucky’s favorite spirits. Our spirits experts from Proof on Main and Lockbox travel to distilleries all over Kentucky and elsewhere and hand-pick barrels to be bottled in limited quantities and enjoyed by our guests. Not only can you order tasting flights at the bar in Lockbox, … Continued
TUES 02.14.17 / 5-7pm & 8-10pm / $49-$69 per person Experience the five languages of love through a romantic dinner at Mary Eddy’s Kitchen x Lounge. Each love language will be highlighted in a five-course menu featuring dishes like the West Coast oyster, lamb leg with walnuts and minted yogurt, and the strawberry panna cotta. … Continued
Wanna know what love is? At Lockbox, we’re having a love affair with fresh food from the heart of the Bluegrass. This Valentine’s Day celebrate love with a soulful farm-to-table meal thoughtfully prepared by chef Jonathan Searle. On Sat. 2.11 or Tues. 2.14, join us for an evening with your best friends or a special dinner for two with your sweetheart. Our … Continued
Wanna know what love is? At Lockbox, we’re having a love affair with fresh food from the heart of the Bluegrass. This Valentine’s Day celebrate love with a soulful farm-to-table meal thoughtfully prepared by chef Jonathan Searle. On Sat. 2.11 or Tues. 2.14, join us for an evening with your best friends or a special dinner for two with your sweetheart. Our … Continued
Break bread in celebration of the season! Make plans to gather around the table at Lockbox this year. A limited menu of tried and true farm-to-table favorites will be available as well as a special Prime Rib Dinner. “We’re going to bring in some beautiful local Kentucky Beef Ribeyes from Black Hawk Farms and do … Continued
Reflect on a year gone by and let chef Jonathan Searle treat you to a soulful feast of wintery tastes made from the absolute finest regional ingredients. Start with a playful Hamachi Crudo with Fennel, Raw Apple, Cucumber and Chili or Celery Root Soup with Poached Shrimp, Country Ham Crumbs and Lemon Oil and then attempt to … Continued
