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Ep #9 - Chad Clevenger thinks back to his time at famed Coyote Cafe and the mentors who helped shape him
Chad Clevenger is the Executive Chef of Alma Cocina in Atlanta, Georgia. His long time love and passion for Mexican and Latin cuisines is palpable in this conversation. Hear about regions of Mexico, indigenous ingredients and his Mexican cooks. His love for food and feeding people began when he was young in Florida by Mama Jewell. We also chat with Bradley Borchardt, his mentor and Exec Chef at Coyote Café.
First job in the industry?
17 as a bus boy at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fl then as a dishwasher to cook at Schacks bbq when I was 18
Proudest moment(s) of your career?
Being named the Executive Chef of the Coyote Cafe at 26 yrs old
Food and/or drinks staples in your house?
Eggs, kewpie mayo, dukes mayo, bacon, cottage cheese and a lot of condiments
Two things most people don't know about you?
I’m afraid of heights and hate egg salad
Words to live by?
Cook Bold, fresh, and from the heart
Website - Alma-Atlanta.com
Facebook - AlmaAtlanta ChadClevenger
Instagram - @Alma.ATL @FifthGroup @ChefClevenger
Growing up in Winter Haven, Florida, Chad Clevenger developed an early and permanent taste for Mexican cuisine. So after graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, Clevenger headed west, to the Coyote Café in Santa Fe, where he was responsible for menu development and purchasing at the Southwestern restaurant, spending three years working with acclaimed Chef Mark Miller. During this time, he also had the opportunity to work alongside such famed chefs as 2012 Austin Rising Star Rene Ortiz, Jesse Perez, Rick Bayless, and Tim Love.
Taking his westerly education up north a bit, Clevenger headed to Denver, Colorado, where he became the chef-owner of Mel’s Bar & Grill. Clevenger might have been new to the area, but he was warmly embraced. It wasn’t long before his restaurant was being lauded by diners and local press alike, receiving such awards as “Best American Restaurant in Denver,” “Top Tamale,” and “Top 10 Fine Dining Restaurants in Denver.” While in Denver, Clevenger also started The Porker Street Food Cart, a gourmet street food cart featuring global pork dishes. At the helm of Porker, Clevenger became known as “the swine sultan,” and was recognized for “Street Food Chef of the Year” and “Best Street Food” by Denver Magazine.
With this porcine commendation and his strong background in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, Clevenger was a natural fit for the Latin flavors and spirited atmosphere of Atlanta’s Alma Cocina. Now at the helm of Alma, Clevenger combines years of culinary experience in both fine dining and high-volume casual dining with a proven track record for developing new menu ideas. The result is seasonality and modern methods infused into the roots of Latin cuisine.
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By Jensen Cummings
5
88 ratings
Chad Clevenger is the Executive Chef of Alma Cocina in Atlanta, Georgia. His long time love and passion for Mexican and Latin cuisines is palpable in this conversation. Hear about regions of Mexico, indigenous ingredients and his Mexican cooks. His love for food and feeding people began when he was young in Florida by Mama Jewell. We also chat with Bradley Borchardt, his mentor and Exec Chef at Coyote Café.
First job in the industry?
17 as a bus boy at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fl then as a dishwasher to cook at Schacks bbq when I was 18
Proudest moment(s) of your career?
Being named the Executive Chef of the Coyote Cafe at 26 yrs old
Food and/or drinks staples in your house?
Eggs, kewpie mayo, dukes mayo, bacon, cottage cheese and a lot of condiments
Two things most people don't know about you?
I’m afraid of heights and hate egg salad
Words to live by?
Cook Bold, fresh, and from the heart
Website - Alma-Atlanta.com
Facebook - AlmaAtlanta ChadClevenger
Instagram - @Alma.ATL @FifthGroup @ChefClevenger
Growing up in Winter Haven, Florida, Chad Clevenger developed an early and permanent taste for Mexican cuisine. So after graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, Clevenger headed west, to the Coyote Café in Santa Fe, where he was responsible for menu development and purchasing at the Southwestern restaurant, spending three years working with acclaimed Chef Mark Miller. During this time, he also had the opportunity to work alongside such famed chefs as 2012 Austin Rising Star Rene Ortiz, Jesse Perez, Rick Bayless, and Tim Love.
Taking his westerly education up north a bit, Clevenger headed to Denver, Colorado, where he became the chef-owner of Mel’s Bar & Grill. Clevenger might have been new to the area, but he was warmly embraced. It wasn’t long before his restaurant was being lauded by diners and local press alike, receiving such awards as “Best American Restaurant in Denver,” “Top Tamale,” and “Top 10 Fine Dining Restaurants in Denver.” While in Denver, Clevenger also started The Porker Street Food Cart, a gourmet street food cart featuring global pork dishes. At the helm of Porker, Clevenger became known as “the swine sultan,” and was recognized for “Street Food Chef of the Year” and “Best Street Food” by Denver Magazine.
With this porcine commendation and his strong background in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, Clevenger was a natural fit for the Latin flavors and spirited atmosphere of Atlanta’s Alma Cocina. Now at the helm of Alma, Clevenger combines years of culinary experience in both fine dining and high-volume casual dining with a proven track record for developing new menu ideas. The result is seasonality and modern methods infused into the roots of Latin cuisine.