Today we’d like to introduce you to Hopeton Hibbert.
Hopeton, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began my culinary adventure as a prep cook for Project Open Hand in Atlanta. After a few years I realized cooking would be my career. During that time I worked in two other restaurant in the same day, submerging myself in the kitchen life. This was 1994. I soon discovered Buckhead dinner and got a line cook job under Chef Peter Kaiser. This was my first introduction to fine dining. I worked with Peter for 6 months then registered for culinary school. I attended Johnson & Wales University in Charleston SC, where I worked at Peninsula Grill for 2years. I returned to Atlanta and rejoined Chef Peter who was now Chef of Panos &Paul’s this was 1998. I left Buckhead life group after 2 years and joined a friend in the Eclipse Di Luna team. After 8 years there as Sous and head Chef I left and became Chef at Atmosphere Bistro in Midtown. This was my first lead role at a fine dining establishment. I had the freedom to do some amazing food there and it gave me know my skill level was polished and ready for anything. After Atmosphere I found a home at Cafe Circa for a stint. There I brought my heritage of Caribbean cuisine to another level undone in Atlanta. After Circa I decided I’d start my own thing so I began consulting and opened a few kitchen around town including (Food Therapy, The Leaf Cigar lounge, and Cigar City Club). I also taught at The Viking cooking School till I finally started my business Culinary Arts & Excellence, a culinary entity catering to high end service in all things culinary (cooking classes, dinners, consulting, etc.). To keep me busy my fiancé and I started a supper club called Flavor Excursions. Two children an 25 dinners later we’re still at it creating wonderful intimate experiences around food, I’m currently working on my cookbook and shopping franchise ideas.
Life is good!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been the smoothest road. I’ve been passed over for less experienced cooks, jerked by restaurateurs and had my share of obstacles, but they are necessary to be prepared in future endeavors.
Please tell us about Culinary Arts & Excellence.
Culinary Arts & Excellence is culinary service specializing in high end service and creatively crafted cuisine. We are known for our dinner parties and the unique concepts and flavorful food that’s served. I’m quite proud of my work opening Cigar City Club. We turned an empty space into Atlanta’s premier cigar lounge with a strong menu with steaks to rival the major steak houses in town.
My experience and unique menus separate me from other catering companies. We focus on the smaller more intimate needs and blow the minds of our clientele raising the bar.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could have done things differently I think I would have left Atlanta and worked abroad. I would have liked to experience working at some more high end establishments in some other major food cities.
Contact Info:
- Website: Chefhopeton.con
- Phone: 4043948758
- Email: chefhopeton@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Chefhopeton
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ChefHopeton/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChefHopeton
Image Credit:
Karen Wink
Getting in touch: VoyageATL 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.
