Drawbar

Chef Chris, a Miami native and first-generation Chinese American, draws inspiration from her rich cultural background and the Caribbean/Latin cuisine she grew up eating. Her love affair with food began at her grandmother’s dining room table, where she realized that food is not just sustenance but a stimulation of all senses and an evocation of emotion. Originally a graphic design major, Chef Chris found her heart was always in the kitchen. She left that field to pursue her true passion, starting her culinary journey in the dish pit and prep room. While working full-time and attending school, she devoured culinary books borrowed from friends in culinary school, learning the fundamentals and the science behind food. Inspired by self-taught chefs like Thomas Keller and Charlie Trotter, Chef Chris knew that with drive, passion, and heart, her dream of becoming a chef was attainable. She moved up from the prep room to the line in various South Florida restaurants and country clubs, becoming multifaceted and adaptable while honing her technique and global cuisine palate. In 2010, she was offered an Executive Sous Chef position at the Melia Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Two years later, she became the Executive Chef at the Crowne Plaza Midtown, where she won first place in Best Catering and runner-up in Fan Favorite at the Atlanta Chef Expo 2013. Chef Chris also enjoys participating in local food festivals and exploring the creations of other chefs in the area. With almost twenty-two years in the industry, Chef Chris brings her passion and love of regional dishes to Drawbar at The Bellyard Hotel.