Meet Chef Henry Chandler of Henry’s Louisiana Grill in Acworth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Henry Chandler.

Chef Henry, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always loved to cook. I grew up in Louisiana cooking with my Nanny Castell. I received my chef’s certification in England in 1991 before settling in Acworth, with my wonderful wife, Claudia, in 1993. After working various restaurant jobs around Atlanta, my wife and I were ready to open our own restaurant in Acworth. By now, we had a daughter, Danielle 4, and a son, Liam 2, and it felt like the right time.

So on August 15, 2000, we opened the doors of Henry’s Louisiana Grill. Right from the start the community supported us tremendously. Even before we opened, they helped us ready the restaurant for opening. Neighbors occasionally filled in when we were short staffed, and others came to dine and support our new endeavor. Three years later it was time to move into a larger space.

We moved to 4835 N. Main Street, just a few doors down from our original location. We continued to be blessed as business grew. In 2007, just as we occupied and opened the upstairs of our restaurant, I was told I had liver cancer. Claudia and I kept the news and my treatment to ourselves for many months and ran the business as usual. We couldn’t find a way to tell our children. Finally, after being told that a transplant was my only hope for survival, and yet I was “not now, or ever will be, a transplant candidate.” we shared our news and requested prayers. And things began to change.

I was offered a chemoembolization procedure to shrink the tumors and possibly make way to become a candidate for a transplant. The procedure went well, but the next morning my wife could not wake me. 911 was called and I was taken by ambulance to Kennestone Hospital and then life-flighted to Piedmont Hospital. Within a few days, I regained consciousness. More tests were done and miraculously I was approved for the transplant list. Although some candidates are on the waiting list for years, I was near death by August and on September 1st my wife took me back to the hospital desperate for answers. After a long, difficult night we received a liver offer the next morning. By 6 p.m. I was being prepped for the transplant. Within three months I was a new man. My life had been saved by God.

Now I do my best to pay it forward through increasing awareness of organ donation and raising funds to support Georgia Transplant Foundation. We raise money via crawfish races each season and with our annual Liverversary celebration in September. To date we have raised over $130,000! We also celebrate Donate Life month each April encouraging our guests to register as donors.

Our business and our lives continue to be blessed. I am grateful to God, my family, and this wonderful community I serve.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The opening of a new business brings financial challenges. As owners, we learned a lot in the process of getting up and running a new business and that you must pay your dues to be successful. This means sacrificing your family time, and your wellbeing both mentally and physically at times.

Due to my illness and recovery, I was out of work for six months. But while this was initially an obstacle, it made room for my staff to grow and prosper.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Henry’s Louisiana Grill – what should we know?
I am Chef and owner of Henry’s Louisiana Grill and very involved in day to day operations. We are known for our authentic Louisiana, Cajun and southern food. I am proud of growing the business and remaining successful for 16 years. What sets us apart from others is our consistency with food and service, and my interaction with the guests. I love meeting and getting to know our guests and welcoming them to ‘my house’ as part of our Henry’s Louisiana Grill family.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4835 N. Main Street
  Acworth, GA 30101
• Website: chefhenrys.com
• Phone: 770-966-1515
• Email: events@chefhenrys.com
• Instagram: HLG3
• Facebook: Henry’s Louisiana Grill & Henry’s Uptown
• Twitter: @chefhenrysHLG
• Yelp: Henry’s Louisiana Grill
• Other: Trip Advisor- Henry’s Louisiana Grill