Today we’d like to introduce you to Khaled Albanna.
Hi Khaled, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Amman, Jordan. I lived there most of childhood and moved to the US to attend College in 2010. Through College, I landed a few jobs to support me on day to day basis, I truly disliked doing anything that did not interest me and after a few tries, I thought to myself and decided why not make money doing what I like doing the most, and that was cooking. It was not my first restaurant gig, I grew up in the business, actually my mother, who is a great cook, owned and operated a restaurant in Amman.
I decided to open my restaurant Calliope late 2020 with my two friends Joi Mason and Raven Humphrey. Currently, we are located and operating out of a Meadery in Rossville, GA while working on our Brick and Mortar.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been the smoothies road, but not too bad. Our Obstacles were common to many Restaurant owners and chefs in the past couple of years. It was hard maneuvering opening/staffing through Covid.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
“Calliope, a place where Chef Khaled Albanna brings flavors from his childhood in Amman, Jordan to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Khaled’s southern influences combined with his unique levantine cooking style, delivers the best of both worlds. Cooking with open fire and coals to bring the Levant culture and traditions to light.”
Calliope is my way to pay tribute to my homeland. Sharing my memories and culture through food has helped me introduce the Levant to many in the community. Food is my voice, and that’s where the name calliope came from, “the beautiful voice”.
We are very serious when it comes to locality, supporting our local producers and artisans. We source the freshest from our region, freshness is the main characteristic of Levantine cooking, then brightness of flavors.
What matters most to you?
Making great high-quality food that is approachable financially.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@eatcalliope.com
- Website: www.callioperestaurant.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callioperestaurant/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callioperestaurant/
Image Credits
Raven Humphrey, Alan Smith
