Billy Allin was born in New York and grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina. His professional culinary career began at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, where he graduated with honors. During his culinary program, Billy spent, first, a couple days a week, then almost every evening, working at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. Billy and his wife Kristin moved to the Napa Valley in 2003, and he worked at The Martini House under Chef Todd Humphries.

In 2004, Billy and Kristin moved back to the Southeast. Billy furthered his career at Watershed Restaurant in Decatur, Georgia, where he worked as a Sous-Chef for over two years. In 2006, he began the process of opening his own restaurant, Cakes & Ale, in Decatur. Cakes & Ale is modeled after Billy and Kristin’s basic dining philosophy: cook unassuming food using the highest quality ingredients and serve it in a comfortable and welcoming setting. At Cakes & Ale, Billy and Kristin have created a down-to-earth restaurant where they can express their creativity and passion for great food and drink and the diner and enjoy the experience of a truly delicious meal.