Chef Bryan Merker on grandmas and an Enchanted Garden with Dr. Dre

Bryan Merker stared at the huge map in front of him, the primary-colored pushpins screaming out destinations to visit. It was almost enough to drown out the words of Jerry Vincent, who was talking about the culinary arts program at Johnson County Community College.

“I remember him saying, ‘If you graduate from my program, I can get you into any of these restaurants [each represented by a tack],” Merker says.

The chef and owner of Nica’s 320 (320 Southwest Boulevard) was ready to travel. He just needed to learn how to cook first.