LIFE IN THE CULINARY FAST lane wasn’t what South Alabama native Alex Harrell originally had in mind when he took his first restaurant job. What started as one summer-long favor to family friends turned into a now celebrated career. Something about that first kitchen’s dynamic energy resonated deeply with the 2013 Chef to Watch and set him on a path towards where he finds himself today—executive chef of Commons Club at Virgin Hotels New Orleans. The Crescent
