Vernon Willis Sr. was born and raised in New Orleans, where his hospitality career began at Emeril’s NOLA restaurant in the French Quarter. He started as a busser in 2001, learning the intricacies of fine dining from his brother, who worked there as a waiter. Vernon soon moved up in the ranks, becoming a front waiter and then a captain, leading a service team.

After being displaced to Atlanta, GA, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Vernon returned to New Orleans a year later. He briefly joined Bourbon House before becoming a captain at Emeril’s Delmonico restaurant in the Lower Garden District the same year. As he honed his skills and played a vital role in rebuilding the restaurant after Katrina, Vernon became part of the management team in 2012 and was promoted to Assistant General Manager within a year. In 2018, he became the General Manager and held the position until Emeril’s Delmonico closed its doors permanently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, Vernon joined Link Restaurant Group as Assistant General Manager of Cochon and was promoted to General Manager at Herbsaint in early 2025.