Chef Thomas, a native of Indiana, took the helm of Vida in 2017.

Vida, a restaurant intentionally designed to showcase a chef’s vision, was a natural home for Thomas’s decades long pursuit of interpreting midwestern cuisine through a global lens. In the 8 years since, his leadership and dedication to craft have earned recognition from local diners and international audiences alike. His work has been celebrated not only within Indianapolis but also on a national stage, highlighted by two James Beard Foundation semifinalist nods for Best Chefs: Great Lakes in 2022 and 2024.

Outside of his demanding restaurant schedule, Chef Thomas cherishes time with his wife Amanda and their two children, Grant and Stella. Together, Thomas and Amanda founded Stella's Solemates Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to fundraising for Down Syndrome Indiana and other organizations that advocate for the education and inclusion of individuals with special needs.