Ryan was born and raised in Chicago’s Oriole Park neighborhood and attended Notre Dame High School in Niles, IL. At 22, he joined the United States Air Force, training as an Air Traffic Controller and serving at Nellis AFB in Nevada. During this time, he was selected for the USAF Honor Guard, representing the military at civic events, ceremonies, and over 1,000 funerals across the western U.S. His service exposed him to diverse cultures and cuisines, sparking his appreciation for how food tells stories, builds connections, and brings people together.

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Food became Ryan’s anchor while away from home. He often called his mother for recipes, hosted Sunday dinners for fellow service members, and discovered the joy of cooking for others. After leaving the military, he worked as a postal carrier before returning to Chicago in 2021. Shortly after, Ryan faced a life-threatening battle with Covid-19 that left him hospitalized for three months and forced to relearn how to walk, talk, and move again. His perseverance and military discipline carried him through recovery.

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Determined to pursue his passion, Ryan enrolled at Kendall College for Culinary Arts, graduating with honors while working in professional kitchens. He trained under Chef Eric Weimeyer, Chef Kevin Matsuda, and Chef Brandon Kramer at Butterfield Country Club, later working with Chef Boris Kirzhner at Bryn Mawr Country Club, who became a key mentor. He continued to grow his craft at Onwentsia Club under Chef James Bondoc and Chef Paul Zohfeld, honing his skills and learning the importance of detail, discipline, and love for the craft. Most recently, Ryan completed his Rational Certified Chef training, further strengthening his technical expertise and commitment to modern, efficient, and high-quality culinary execution.

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Today, Chef Ryan Pemberton operates The Yellow Duck Truck in the northern suburbs of Chicago. His food truck celebrates multicultural cuisine by weaving together global flavors in dishes that remain approachable and familiar to the American palate. Every plate reflects his belief that food is a universal language of culture, history, and love—bringing people together, one meal at a time.