Ian Boden is the Chef/Owner at Maude & the Bear, a tasting menu restaurant and
adjoining three-suite boutique inn located in Staunton, VA.
Originally from Virginia, Ian moved to New York City to advance his career in 1996 after
graduating culinary school. After climbing the ranks of the restaurant scene in the city, working
in renowned spots such as Payard Patisserie & Bistro and Judson Grill, Ian moved back to
Virginia to serve a cuisine that is both forward thinking and respectful of past culinary
techniques.
In 2014, Ian and his wife, Leslie, opened The Shack, where his modern cooking combines his
Jewish Eastern European roots and the regional traditions and diverse resources of Appalachia.
Ian and The Shack have received critical acclaim from publications ranging from The Wall
Street Journal and Esquire to Southern Living and Garden & Gun. Additionally, Ian has twice
been a semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic” award.
In early 2024, Ian and Leslie opened Maude & the Bear, located just a few blocks from The
Shack, to serve the local Staunton community and visitors to the area. The name of the
restaurant comes from their daughter’s middle name (Maude) and their son’s nickname (Bear)
and all the suites at the inn take their name from Aesop’s Fables. The ever-evolving menu
weaves Leslie’s Appalachian upbringing and Ian’s Ashkenazi roots with many
ingredients sourced from the local purveyors Ian has been passionately supporting since
opening The Shack. Ian views the staff at Maude & the Bear as family, and the dining room as a
communal space to invite guests – where everyone feels welcomed and accepted.