Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
March 4, 2021
Q&A: Charlotte’s best female chefs
Each week, we answer your questions about food and drink in Charlotte
Chef Alyssa Wilen at an Unpretentious Palate event. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Q: In honor of Women’s History Month, who are some of the city’s best female executive chefs?
Kristen: Thank you for this question! In my opinion, Catherine Rabb is not spoken about enough when discussing women in Charlotte’s food scene. As the owner and executive chef of longtime Myers Park favorite Fenwick’s, Rabb was running a kitchen long before inclusive kitchens were even a conversation. She’s also currently a professor at Johnson & Wales. What Alyssa Wilen of Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen has been able to build with her husband, Andrew, is extremely impressive, and her style of locally sourced, healthy cooking is genuine. Ashley Boyd of 300 East only began working on the savory side of things recently, but has shown with recent changes to the restaurant’s menu she can handle both savory and sweet dishes. A few women to watch include Whitney Thomas, currently chef de cuisine at Miro, and Tché Carter of Leah & Louise. Readers, who am I missing? Let me know in the comments!
Q: With the Hornets welcoming back fans, will there be any special/new food and drink items this year?
Kristen: An interesting thought! I’ll reach out and see if I can find out what their plans are for catering on a limited fan basis. My guess is they’ll only have a few concession stands open, but stay tuned!
Raquel Arreola at the Goodyear house is for sure someone to be watching out for. She has been a key piece in the early success that the Goodyear house is having and is basically running that kitchen right now.
Chef Heather at Steak 48!! She is such a total badass at the helm of the kitchen