DALLAS – Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants Inc. has named Nico Murillo the company’s new R&D chef. Murillo will work with other R&D team members on sustainability initiatives, eco-friendly sourcing and best practices in meat preparation, the company said. 

Chef Nico Murillo

“The Dickey family welcomes Nico as an excellent addition to our team,” said Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO. “We are proud to have such an experienced R&D Chef to take our brand into the future.”

Murillo brings 15 years of experience to the job. Before joining Dickey’s, she worked in the R&D department at PepsiCo. Murillo was trained at the Art Institute of Dallas and has worked in prestigious kitchens at the Four Seasons Hotel and The Master’s in Augusta, Ga. She also served as instructor of Culinary Courses at the Art Institute.

“The analytical thinking and problem solving from my pastry background set the stage for my career in R&D,” Murillo said. Most recently, Murillo earned the Certified Research Chef credential from the Research Chefs Association.