Bacchanalia has a new exec chef
More change is underway at Bacchanalia. Recently relocated from Westside Provisions District to Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard in West Midtown, the fine dining establishment now has a new executive chef. Jonathan Kallini has been promoted to the top position from his previous role there as chef de cuisine.
Kallini replaces Joe Schafer, who has accepted a position as executive chef for the Atlanta Hawks. Tuesday was Schafer's last day.
Anne Quatrano, who operates Bacchanalia with her husband Clifford Harrison, shared the news Wednesday via Instagram:
Quatrano called Kallini's promotion a "natural transition." "Jonathan has been chef de cuisine since before Joe started for us. Jonathan has been the driving force for the food," she said.
She continued: "Jonathan has amazing technical skills and knowledge. He’s a cooking geek."
Kallini has been with Quatrano's restaurant group for nearly eight years. He spent the last four of those as chef de cuisine at Bacchanalia. Prior to that, he held a short stint as an interim chef at Floataway Cafe and also helped with the now defunct Quinones.
Quatrano expressed her appreciation for Schafer's contributions since joining her culinary team in 2014, beginning at the now defunct Abattoir, then leading the kitchen at Little Bacch when it launched ( It has since shuttered. ) and finally taking over as executive chef at Bacchanalia in late 2015 .
"I really like Joe. He has always been a great employee for us," Quatrano said. Of this next phase in Shafer's career, "He seems so excited about it, it’s hard not to be excited for him."
Bacchanalia opened at a location in Buckhead in 1993 and moved to Westside Provisions District five years later. The restaurant started a new chapter this spring when it relocated to 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard where it shares space with sister operation Star Provisions Market and Cafe. Former AJC dining critic John Kessler awarded Bacchanalia 4 stars in 2014 .
RELATED
Explore where to eat in Atlanta with the AJC’s Spring Dining Guide
Read more stories like this by liking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following @ATLDiningNews on Twitter and @ajcdining on Instagram.
About the Author
Ligaya Figueras is the AJC's senior editor for Food & Dining. Prior to joining the AJC in 2015, she was the executive editor for St. Louis-based culinary magazine Sauce. She has worked in the publishing industry since 1999 and holds degrees from St. Louis University and the University of Michigan.
