Naples Dining Scene and Ridgway Bar & Grill with Tony Ridgway

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with Tony Ridgway, a pioneering chef and restaurateur who has been a cornerstone of the Naples dining scene since 1971. Tony shares his journey from arriving in a quiet 1962 Naples to becoming a key architect of the city's culinary identity. Tony reflects on the evolution of "Old Naples," the shift from food-centric to relationship-driven service, and the grit required to navigate decades of growth and change. From the early days of The Chef's Garden to the enduring legacy of Ridgway Bar & Grill, Tony’s story is a testament to the passion and community spirit that defines the Naples experience. “I recognize that food comes in second. Service and the relationships that we develop with the people is everything.” — Tony Ridgway. Check out Ridgway Bar & Grill at RidgwayBarAndGrill.com Thank you to our location sponsor, Feel Amazing Spine and Joint Institute Naples, for allowing us to record in their space. Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia, for making this podcast possible.