Restaurateur Hakan Ilhan announced the appointment of Matthew Cockrell as the new executive chef of Brasserie Liberté, located in the heart of historic Georgetown at 3251 Prospect Street, NW, 20007. Cockrell brings extensive experience to his new position having worked at esteemed French restaurants throughout the nation’s capital including Mintwood Place, Le Diplomate and La Chaumiere.

A native of Vienna, Virginia, Cockrell discovered his love for cooking at an early age. He has been working in restaurants in various capacities since the age of thirteen and supported himself this way through East Carolina University, graduating with an English degree. In due time, he also earned three culinary degrees from Stratford University. After working in a few kitchens, Cockrell discovered he was the youngest sous chef to serve at La Chaumiere, a DC landmark for classic French cuisine.

In 2014, Cockrell was appointed executive sous chef at Stephen Starr’s Le Diplomate. He would serve at the restaurant for three years before being named chef de cuisine at Mintwood Place in 2017, working with acclaimed chef Cedric Maupillier. When Maupiller turned his attention to opening a new restaurant, Convivial, Cockrell eventually took over leadership of the culinary team at Mintwood Place, crafting his own distinctive menu. Under his direction, the popular Adams Morgan neighborhood brasserie was named one of the “100 Very Best Restaurants” by Washingtonian magazine in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Brasserie Liberté is located in historic Georgetown at 3251 Prospect Street, NW, 20007. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner is served nightly, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A late-night menu is available Sunday through Thursday, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.