On the momentous occasion of the 25th anniversary of the revered restaurant Aria, its owner, Chef Gerry Klaskala, announced his retirement. Aria opened on March 19, 2000, at 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. The restaurant, nestled in a converted house, serves diners from Tuesday to Saturday starting from 5:30 pm.
Klaskala and the co-owners Ron San Martin and George McKerrow have decided to transition the ownership to longtime general manager Andrés Loaiza. He will continue the excellence and legacy of Aria for the next generation of Atlanta people.
Highlights
- Chef and owner Gerry Klaskala announced his retirement from restaurant Aria. Aria achieved numerous accolades under the leadership of Klaskala.
- After serving for 25 years, the ownership will be transferred to the long-time general manager at Aria, Andres Loaiza.
- Klaskala plans to focus on art and painting post his retirement.
Aria Bids Farewell to Former Owner and Chef Gerry Klaskala
Creative culinary delight and a changing menu attract diners to Aria (Source – Google Reviews and aria.atl.com)
“It’s time,” says Klaskala to announce his retirement from 25 years of ownership of Aria. Klaskala started his journey in Atlanta as the opening chef and managing partner at Buckhead Diner. Restaurateur Pano Karatassos drew him to the city from Savannah.
Klaskala cooked for countless celebrity diners, including Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. Later, with McKerrow and San Martin, Klaskala debuted Canoe on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, and then they opened Aria together.
Klaskala expresses his love for cooking by stating “I have head-over-heels loved what I’ve been doing.” When a guest makes a reservation, Klaskala considers it to be their faith in Aria. So, he and his team took that responsibility very seriously and embraced it.
Everyone knows Aria as a great place to eat and Gerry Klaskala as a dedicated chef, but outside the kitchen, he is a great philanthropist as well. “It’s a big part of who I am.” Being involved in my community is something I chose to do early on, and it was very important to me. That’s why I’ve made sure younger chefs were getting involved in their communities as well. You can’t own and operate a successful business and not be involved in your community,” he explains.
In an effort to give back to the community, he has been an integral part of benefits for Open Hand Atlanta and Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation. Klaskala even served as the chef chair for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Georgia Chapter’s Harvest for a Cure.
Klaskala was one of six chefs who were awarded the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence, along with Wolfgang Puck, Frank Stitt, and many more. He also received the Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards’ lifetime achievement award.
Achievements of Aria Under the Ownership of Klaskala
In the 25 years of its journey, Aria received many awards. It is one of the most prestigious and loved restaurants in the city. It is certified as the “Best Wine Restaurant in America” and is a part of Zagat’s “Atlanta’s Best Restaurants” list. For its outstanding service, Aria has been named a James Beard Foundation semifinalist. Esquire Magazine recognized it as one of the country’s best restaurants.
Aria received a five-star rating from dining critic, Meridith Ford Goldman. Atlanta Journal-Constitution calls it one of the city’s finest time-tested restaurants. Aria has also made both USA Today’s and Thrillist’s “Best Romantic Restaurants in Atlanta” lists.
Awards from credible authorities are not the only achievements of a restaurant. Committed employees and loyal customers are also testament to Aria’s excellence. The owner and staff at Aria always find a moment to appreciate each other’s work.
As Loaiza is set to handle the responsibilities of Aria, he expresses his love for the place and his work. He stated that “the regulars know and trust me. We will continue to operate Aria as per the standards set by Gerry. This transition marks the evolution and beginning of the next chapter.”
Loaiza is moving forward with a long-term vision. He says that he will focus on Aria’s next 25 years as one of Atlanta’s favorite places to create memories over delicious food and wine once he selects a chef.
Klaskala had to put his first love, painting, in the backseat to enroll in the Culinary Institute of America. After that, doing anything else apart from cooking made him feel guilty, as his work required focus and concentration. He believes now is the time to explore other interests. He wishes to spend time being immersed in his artistic thoughts and ideas.
