By Haley Harward and Nancy Wood For the past three years, Restaurant Informer, in partnership with the Georgia Restaurant Association, has selected five people – chefs, restaurant owners, sommeliers and more - who we think are making a mark on the state’s hospitality industry and are going someplace in the years ahead. It’s always been a hard choice to pick just five, as … [Read more...] about Meet the 2020 Rising Stars
Featured Post - Profiles
Andrés Loaiza: GRACE 2019 Restaurant Manager of the Year
By Christy Simo Andrés Loaiza has a strong belief system that guides his work as general manager and head sommelier at the award-winning Aria in Buckhead. “Our role at Aria is defined not only by what we do but most importantly by what we believe,” he says. “We believe in excellence. We believe in consistency. We believe in people and gracious hospitality. We … [Read more...] about Andrés Loaiza: GRACE 2019 Restaurant Manager of the Year
Q&A with Canoe Executive Chef Matthew Basford
By Aja Arnold Matthew Basford always knew he was headed for a career in the restaurant business ever since he took his first restaurant job as a teenager in his native Australia. Once he committed to his culinary journey, he won second Place in Tasting Australia two years in a row and placed in the Nestle Junior Chefs of Australia Competition, which honors the top … [Read more...] about Q&A with Canoe Executive Chef Matthew Basford
Q&A: Scott Serpas, Chef and Owner of Serpas True Food
By Nancy Wood A Louisiana native, Scott Serpas has been cooking up good food almost his whole life. Part of a large family, he found he liked spending time in the kitchen growing up – then later found he liked working in a restaurant even more. Serpas opened his own Atlanta restaurant, Serpas True Food, in 2009. That same year, the restaurant was named one of the 10 … [Read more...] about Q&A: Scott Serpas, Chef and Owner of Serpas True Food
John Williams
At the tender age of 22, John Williams is on the fast track in Atlanta’s restaurant scene. Unlike most chefs, Williams fell into the business after accepting a job offer from the owner of a local music venue right before he graduated from high school. “I was taking a food science class and really liked it,” recalls the Atlanta native. “When the owner asked if I could come to … [Read more...] about John Williams
