Abbi Merriss

Abbi Merriss is an American chef from Indianapolis. She was a James Beard award semifinalist in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and in February 2020 received her fifth nomination. Her restaurant, Bluebeard, was nominated for a Beard award for Best New Restaurant in America in 2012. She specializes in New American cuisine.

Early life Merriss was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Ramona Hamilton and Rick Merriss, one of three sisters and one brothers. Her parents separated when she was two. Hardesty, a five-time James Beard nominee, became a mentor and helped her get a scholarship to a local culinary school. The restaurant is in the Fletcher Place historic district in a renovated warehouse built in 1924. It was named after Bluebeard, the 12th of Kurt Vonnegut's novels. Vonnegut was a native of Indianapolis. The restaurant's menu changes daily. The bar area has a "writerly esthetic," according to the Washington Post; Food Republic likened the dining room to a library. The restaurant's courtyard patio has been called the best in the city.

Merriss and the Battistas in 2019 planned a second restaurant, Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie, in Indianapolis's Windsor Park neighborhood, eventually announcing a 23 March 2020 opening date. The restaurant delayed its start due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

Reception The Indianapolis Star called her a "major Indianapolis chef" when naming Kan-Kan as one of 2020's most exciting restaurant openings. Indianapolis Monthly said of her, "Perhaps more than anyone other than Milktooth and Beholder chef Jonathan Brooks, she’s responsible for Indy’s heightened profile among foodies in recent years" Food & Wine said she and Brooks were key to "one of the most exciting American food scenes." Condé Nast Traveler said that she and Holder "have redefined what it means to cook in the Corn Belt."

The New York Times called out dinner at Bluebeard in its travel feature "36 Hours in Indianapolis" and Thrillist recommended Bluebeard "if you have just one meal" in Indianapolis. New York called the restaurant "esteemed." In 2016 Business Insider named it the best restaurant in Indiana.

Honors Merriss was a James Beard award semifinalist in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Bluebeard was nominated in 2012 for a James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in America.

Personal life In 2012 Merriss married chef John Adams; they have since divorced.