Owner/Operator, Bar Vegan in Atlanta Behind the popular Bar Vegan, which opened in February 2021 at Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, is the owner and operator Aaron Mattison. But he doesn’t have the traditional hospitality background one might think. “Out of college, I started working on Wall Street. Traditional investment banking and private equity,” says Mattison, 34. “Once … [Read more...] about 2021 Rising Star Aaron Mattison
Profiles
Pivoting in the Face of Change: Q&A with Fred Castellucci
By Haley Harward With a generational proclivity for restaurants, Federico Castellucci III grew up with an affection for the industry. Eventually, he followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps to take over the family business after graduating from Cornell University’s Hospitality Management program as the business faced compelling hardships. Castellucci … [Read more...] about Pivoting in the Face of Change: Q&A with Fred Castellucci
Meet a 2020 Rising Star: Joey Ward
Executive Chef and Owner, Southern Belle and Georgia Boy, Atlanta At five years old, most kids dreamed of being astronauts and policemen. Joey Ward dreamed of being a chef. In hot pursuit of his childhood dreams, Ward worked his way up from a busboy at a pizza place to head chef. Without slowing down, Ward grasped the fundamentals of classic French cooking to gain a solid … [Read more...] about Meet a 2020 Rising Star: Joey Ward
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
The East Heads South
From Laotian and Filipino to Korean and Taiwanese, more cultures and their foodways are being represented across Georgia’s restaurant landscape By Nancy Wood The explosion of the Asian food craze can be attributed to several factors – a strong demographic shift in the number of Asian-Americans living in the U.S., the upswing in Millennials and Gen Z … [Read more...] about The East Heads South
Meherwan Irani, 2019 GRACE Diversity Leadership Winner
By Nancy Walker “To be in the service industry means to actually be of service.” While many may espouse this philosophy, one restaurateur in Atlanta is living it: Meherwan Irani, CEO, executive chef and founder of Chai Pani Restaurant Group. Just a decade ago, the native of India not only decided to change the perception of Indian food in the United States, he began a … [Read more...] about Meherwan Irani, 2019 GRACE Diversity Leadership Winner
Taco Mac: GRACE 2020 Restaurateur of the Year: Large/Corporate
By Nancy Wood Long before craft beer and microbreweries were all the rage, there was Taco Mac. The truth is, if you’ve lived in the Atlanta area for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard of the chain’s unique atmosphere – you may even be a proud holder of a Brewniversity card. Since 1979, when two Buffalo, N.Y., friends staked their claim at a taco stand on … [Read more...] about Taco Mac: GRACE 2020 Restaurateur of the Year: Large/Corporate
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
