In the controlled chaos of a restaurant kitchen, Gunshow Chef de Cuisine Cody Chassar discovered an unexpected tranquility.
“I feel at home in the kitchen,” says Chassar. “It’s relaxing and calming to me. Somehow it takes my fast-paced brain to a peaceful level.”
Chassar brings a unique blend of passion, skill and dedication to his work, fostering a vibrant culture of creativity and an environment were guests feel truly valued.
But a culinary career was not initially on Chassar’s radar. When he was a high school senior, his dad handed him a brochure to Baker College in Michigan and encouraged him to choose a major. Intrigued by the blend of food, business and management offered by the culinary arts program, Chassar took the leap, setting the course for his future.
After a stint a a cook at a lakeside restaurant in Michigan, where he was quickly promoted into management, Chassar moved south to work at Husk Nashville and The Catbird Seat before eventually landing in Atlanta in 2019.
“I wanted to among people who cared about the work and had the highest expectations,” he says. He joined Kevin Gillespie’s Red Beard Restaurant concept Cold Beer before shifting over to Gunshow in 2022. The innovative, interactive way of dining – dishes are presented to guests at communal tables by the chef who prepared it, and guests can select what they want for their meal – seemed to suit Chassar just fine.
“I’ve worked in a lot of restaurants in my lifetime,” he says. “Gunshow felt like home.”
In August 2023, he was promoted to Chef de Cuisine. That October, Gunshow was named a recommended restaurant in the inaugural Atlanta Michelin Guide.
At Gunshow, Chassar is like a symphony conductor, orchestrating a team of seven chefs as they craft their personalized dishes. “I get to be a mentor. Push people to explore techniques and flavors,” says Chassar. “I like to be in the center of the storm cooking with my team so I can help guide and coach.”
For Chassar positive leadership means empowerment. He advocates a culture of learning, where mistakes are embraced as stepping-stones to accomplishments. “Like composing music,” Chassar says, “I want my team to take pride in their craft.” He fosters an environment of a kitchen without violence or hostility.
Ultimately, Chassar’s focus is on the present moment, where each dish and each guest hold significance. “I love doing this,” he says. “It makes my soul happy.”
By Toby Bloomberg
Read More About the Other 2024 Rising Stars
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Performance Foodservice, and table sponsors, Society Insurance and Savannah Distributing, for making this event possible:
Presenting Sponsor
Table Sponsors
Savannah Distributing and Society Insurance
