Today we’d like to introduce you to Ines Chattas.
Ines, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, it’s only natural to acquire a love for great food & wine. From my family gatherings, I gained a passion for cooking and sharing a memorable meal with loved ones. Those memories stuck with me and steered my dream of a future in food.
My grandma used to throw stunning dinner parties. She used to have them catered and I would snoop around in the kitchen to spy them work. And then sit at the table and enjoy watching the service flow and the exquisite food and the elegance of hosting my grandma had.
And my other grandma, always watching her cook. She used to make the best rice pudding in the world
I studied hospitality management in Argentina then interned with several institutions in France and throughout the U.S. In 1997, I moved to Miami and started building my career and furthering my passion for the food and beverage industry at the renowned Grand Bay Hotel Coconut Grove. In 2001, I embraced a new project with Icebox Cafe, a now Miami Beach staple, as the General Manager for over 10 years. In 2011 my former business partner Sandra Stefani and I opened the doors of Open Kitchen.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
While the journey to get where I am and where Open Kitchen is has required hard work, I have been fortunate enough to experience success and continued growth. The transition between my position of 10 years and opening my own establishment required perseverance. There have been incredible ups with a couple scary moments in between.
Through it all though, I feel our success continues due to the environment and relationships created at Open Kitchen through years of hard work and dedication.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Open Kitchen – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Open Kitchen is a neighborhood restaurant that evolved into so much more. We offer cooking classes, full service catering, and have a pantry where customers can purchase hand selected ingredients & wines. We are passionate about sharing out love for food and the overall experience of a great meal. Whether you’re eating a meal we prepared, shopping at our pantry, or you are a student at one of our cooking classes, I am thrilled to be sharing a little piece of me and everything I know about food.
Who & what we are is all in the name: Open Kitchen. Everything about us is meant to make our guests feel welcome into our kitchen. Our fresh menu is very much our take and twist on things also features familiar flavors that make you feel at home.
What sets us apart is that we aim to create an environment that makes our guests feel like extended family. We want to wow you with flavors but we want you to feel like you are being wow-ed in great company!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In general, what I hope for is continued growth and success in my business. We want more people to experience everything we have to offer but we want to keep the warmth & charm of what makes us who we are.
Pricing:
- Lunch $10 – $20
- Dinner $20-$50
Contact Info:
- Address: 1071 95th St – Bay Harbor Islands
Miami Beach, FL 33154 - Website: Openkitchenmiami.com
- Phone: (305) 865-0090
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Openkitchenmiami
- Facebook: Facebook.com/openkitchenmiami
- Twitter: Openkitchenmia
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
