A contemporary Southern grill led by Chef Rob McDaniel and Emily McDaniel, Helen is a refreshed take on classic dining that pays homage to Rob’s memories cooking over the hardwood coals and smoke of his grandmother’s indoor grill. Located in a two-story 1920s-era shotgun-style building in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, Helen balances timeless elegance with a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. The McDaniels partnered with friends and local artisans, such as iron workers, wood workers, and other artists, to create a warm and engaging space for celebration. Prime meats and seafood are cooked in an open kitchen, served alongside vegetables and non-traditional sides on a menu driven by seasonality and product from local purveyors.
CHEF ROB MCDANIEL
OWNER AND EXECUTIVE CHEF
Chef Rob McDaniel, alongside his wife Emily, is the co‑owner and executive chef of Helen, a contemporary Southern grill in downtown Birmingham that opened August 2020.
Raised in Haleyville, Alabama, Rob’s love for Southern cooking was shaped early on by his grandmothers’ kitchens—where food was honest, seasonal, and deeply rooted in place. He carried that passion to Auburn University, earning a degree in hotel and restaurant management, before continuing his culinary training at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. There, Rob sharpened his craft while developing a lasting commitment to sustainability, local agriculture, and preserving regional foodways.
Rob’s career includes time spent cooking alongside respected chefs such as Johnny Earles at Criolla’s in Grayton Beach, Chris Hastings at Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, and Drew Robinson at Jim ’N Nick’s BBQ. In 2009, he became the opening executive chef of SpringHouse Restaurant on Lake Martin—a role that further refined his approach to Southern cuisine, foraging, and ingredient‑driven cooking.
At Helen, Rob’s philosophy centers on honoring the land and the people who steward it. The menu celebrates the bounty of the South through thoughtful, flavor‑forward dishes rooted in seasonality, open‑flame cooking, and warm, genuine hospitality. His work has earned six James Beard Foundation Best Chef: South semifinalist nominations (2013–2017, 2024), recognition as Auburn University’s 2012 Outstanding Hotel and Restaurant Management Program Alumnus, and a Michelin Guide recommendation in 2025.
When he’s not in the kitchen, Rob can usually be found outdoors—hunting, fishing, or foraging—or spending time with Emily and their twin daughters. He also loves supporting Birmingham’s vibrant food community by dining at fellow local restaurants and cheering on the city he calls home.
EMILY MCDANIEL
Co-Owner
A Birmingham, AL native, Emily McDaniel began her hospitality career on the marketing team at Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ, where she developed a passion for the fast-paced, people-oriented nature of the restaurant world. In 2011, she relocated to Lake Martin, Alexander City, AL, where she married Chef Rob McDaniel and transitioned her career into real estate. Together, they joined Russell Lands On Lake Martin—Emily selling luxury waterfront homes, while Rob became Executive Chef at SpringHouse, a fine-dining restaurant in the lakeside community. During this time, Emily honed her real estate expertise, building lasting relationships and connections with clients.
After a decade in real estate, Emily returned to Birmingham to rejoin the restaurant industry as Hospitality Director of Helen, which she co-owns with her husband, Rob. At Helen, she manages accounts payable, payroll, human resources, and recruitment, with a focus on fostering a welcoming atmosphere to complement the seasonal, open-fire Southern cuisine.
Outside of the restaurant, Emily enjoys spending time with her 8-year-old twin daughters, Rosemary and Amelia, traveling with friends, entertaining friends at home, and staying active at the gym.