The next generation of culinary artisans are changing up the industry. These artisans have a whole new approach to reaching and satisfying the next generation consumer. In this podcast we will explore chefs and artisans from around the world diving into their story and passion.

In this episode of Chef AF, I chat with chef and restaurateur, Ebony Austin of Nouveau Bar and Grill an Atlanta-based restaurant and she currently has locations in both College Park and Jonesboro. The restaurant is themed after Austin’s Chicago upbringing and is a hot spot in Atlanta's lounge and dining scene which can be partly attributed to Ultimate Cajun Seafood and Grits dish on the menu. It has chargrilled shrimp, salmon and crab meat served over stone ground grits and topped over cajun cream sauce.

Before Austin got into the restaurant business she said, after college she worked for Campbell’s, Godiva in business management and then 1 800 Flowers. After starting her own real estate company, Austin missed the day to day interaction with people. She said she thought and prayed to think of something that she absolutely loved and thought about morning and night, for her that was food and people.

Austin’s next move was to open a restaurant. She took what she learned from her past experience, her passion and love for food and put that energy into a restaurant. She attributes her success to a combination of those things.

I asked Austin if there was one piece of advice she had wished someone had given her about getting into the restaurant industry. She shares, if someone would have given me advice, I would have liked for them to say, You got this, you can do it. It's possible. Even when it doesn't look possible, it's possible. I think those words of encouragement are what really helps.”

Austin learned as a child that it is better to give than receive and attributes that to her strong belief in philanthropy. She makes giving back to her community a priority, including giving a portion of the profits from her Nouveau Creations line of stone-grounds grits to charitable initiatives throughout Metro-Atlanta.

To hear Austin’s top 3 tips for opening a restaurant and more about her philanthropic efforts check out this episode of Chef AF, plus you can get Austin’s Ultimate Cajun Seafood and Grits recipe!