Tastemaker

On weekends, DeeDee Niyomkul and her mom Nan Niyomkul go ingredient shopping together at the Asian markets on Buford Highway.
CARRYING THE TORCH

Nan Thai comes to Buckhead! When Nan Niyomkul moved to the U.S. from Bangkok, at…

Roxana Aguirre photo: Courtesy of Chil & Co.
MS. MEZCAL

Roxana Aguirre runs the city’s first agave-based bottle shop! A former first-grade teacher, Roxana Aguirre…

Restaurateur Tasha Cyril
QUEEN OF CARIBBEAN CUISINE

Tasha Cyril infuses her heritage into Buckhead brunch. Restaurateur Tasha Cyril didn’t plan on working…

Joseph Kahwach
IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

Meet Joseph Kahwach, the heart and soul of Basil’s Restaurant for 34 years. It’s Wednesday…

Otis Sallid and Dave Green
THE GREATEST SHOWMEN

Dave Green and Otis Sallid team up for Damsel, a cabaret and supper club at…

TOP SHELF TALENT

Ty Nicole Tucker wins cocktail competition with a $30,000 brand ambassador contract. Ty Nicole Tucker…

Chef G. Garvin
SLAM DUNK

Chef G. Garvin’s culinary expertise is a win for State Farm Arena! If you’ve visited…

RENAISSANCE MAN

Bar Ti Amo owner Marco Betti embraces everything he does with passion. Marco Betti has…

DISTILLING A NEW VENTURE

Ryan Millsap turns his attention to Berckmans. In the 1850s, P.J. Berckmans sailed from Belgium…

SPREADING HAPPINESS

Buckhead’s “Mama Gale” Parker delights diners with over-the top decorations at Amore e Amore. When…

FUN FACT Alvarez was originally a biochemistry major. She believes her chemistry knowledge helps in her wine work.
WILD ABOUT WINE

At 24, The Alden’s Nicole Alvarez is the youngest sommelier in the area! A sommelier…

Chef Ashkan Famili of Yalda | Atlanta
The Persian Prince

Ash Famili is the face behind Yalda, a blossoming Middle Eastern restaurant in Sandy Springs!…

Nadia Deljou’s Delle Dining
CULTURAL COOKING

Nadia Deljou’s Delle Dining merges food, music and heritage. Nadia Deljou grew up as part…

SON OF A BAKER MAN

Johnny Di Palma brings panini and pastries to Buckhead at Pala Bakery. At 22, Johnny…

CHEESE, PLEASE

Capella Cheese founder Raymond Hook elevates Atlanta’s dairy game. Cheesemonger Raymond Hook is best known…

Oats-standing Survivor Startup

How Elizabeth Bein turned a health trauma into a business triumph. Sandy Springs resident Elizabeth…

THE BAGEL GUYS

Goldbergs Fine Foods celebrates a half-century in Buckhead. In 1992, Wayne Saxe and Howard Aaron…

The Heiress

Sachi Nakato Takahara celebrates 50 years of Nakato Japanese Restaurant! Sachiyo “Sachi” Nakato Takahara was…

Chef Sosa
The Flexitarian

From culture to food and travel, chef Chad “Sosa” Hester is always mixing it up…

FUN FACT On busy weekends, The Frosty Caboose can go through 60 tubs of ice cream.
The Conductor

Pam Kachmar celebrates 13 years steering The Frosty Caboose. After more than 20 years in…

FUN FACT As a child, Seaman ate chocolate chip cookies in her sleep, while sleep walking
Innovating with Olives

Nikki Seaman is changing the way Atlantans snack! A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania…

Mr. Johnny’s Hideaway

Chris D’Auria celebrates 25 years at the Buckhead nightclub. Since 1979, Johnny’s Hideaway has been…

Smith Hanes
The Set Designer

Smith Hanes creates restaurants’ signature look. The Select. King & Duke. Nina & Rafi. Watershed…

FUN FACT Abes once dined with basketball legend Michael Jordan at The Capital Grille in Charlotte, N.C., 10 years ago, after meeting at nowdefunct Twist in Atlanta.
The Duke of Dunwoody

DASH Hospitality’s David Abes strives to make The Village Dunwoody the heart of the community.…

FUN FACT Kamel played soccer in college at the University of Naples in Italy. photo: Brandon Amato
Buckhead or Bust

5CHURCH FOUNDER AYMAN KAMEL HAD ONE GOAL: EXPAND TO BUCKHEAD! An Italian-Egyptian immigrant, Ayman Kamel…

FUN FACT Mandy studied biology in college and planned to be a doctor.
Raising the Roof

Mandy and Kelvin Slater prepare to open Rooftop L.O.A. on top of the Interlock building…

FUN FACT Rodbell has an identical twin who lives in Buckhead.
The Real Drinkmaster

Andrew Rodbell introduces authentic canned cocktails to the Southeast from his West Midtown warehouse. Andrew…

Like Father, Like Son

Following in his father’s footsteps, John Metz expands his empire with the opening of The…

Ted’s Montana Grill CEO and cofounder George McKerrow
From Dishwasher to Philanthropic CEO

How George McKerrow climbed the ranks in the restaurant industry. Ted’s Montana Grill CEO and…

OWNER-CHEF PAT PASCARELLA
Buon Appetito

GRANA OWNER-CHEF PAT PASCARELLA PUTS A SOUTHERN TWIST ON ITALIAN TRADITIONS It’s the age-old story…