If there's one thing we're sure of here at Chef AF, it's that passion, perseverance, and a great recipe can cook up success. Today, we invite you to sink your teeth into a remarkable success story. In our latest episode, we unravel the inspiring journey of Gocha Hawkins, the creative brain behind Gocha’s Breakfast Bar and Gocha’s Tapas Bar.

Known for her iconic recipes like the “Krunch-Tastic” French Toast, "Gocha’s Impossible Burger," and "Better Than Yo Momma" Biscuits, Gocha Hawkins is no stranger to the food industry. And that's not all! Gocha's remarkable resume also includes a successful stint as a celebrity hairstylist, where she styled stars like Beyonce, Drake, and Serena Williams. After almost three decades in the beauty industry, Gocha turned to the culinary world, leveraging her business acumen and passion for cooking to create a unique dining experience.

In this episode, Gocha takes us on a culinary journey, starting from the humble beginnings of learning to cook at 18 under her grandmother's watchful eye. Despite having no formal culinary training, Gocha's innate passion and cooking flair led to the birth of her first breakfast bar in Atlanta in 2019.

Through the conversation, Gocha unflinchingly recounts the hardships she faced, from bank loan rejections to high-interest loans taken against her salon. But with resilience and perseverance, Gocha opened her restaurant and has since expanded to a food truck and a downtown location, and even began franchising. Despite the success, Gocha doesn’t shy away from expressing the challenges of managing work-life balance, candidly sharing her thoughts about the struggles of expansion.

But what sets Gocha's establishments apart? With a firm belief that customers today seek a complete experience, not just a meal, Gocha focuses on providing an upscale dining experience typically found in the city, especially aiming to bring that vibe to the south side. From incorporating dinner items into her breakfast menu to opening a tapas bar for late-night food service, Gocha continually finds ways to innovate and keep her customers' palates excited.
In a particularly engaging moment of the podcast, Gocha describes her culinary journey through the titles of three songs: "Started From The Bottom," "Everyday I'm Hustlin," and "All I Do is Win." These songs, she says, reflect her rise from humble beginnings, her relentless work ethic, and her unwavering belief in her ability to succeed.

Towards the end of the podcast, Gocha shares her plans for the future, including a cookbook expected to be published by the end of next year. With her insightful advice for newcomers in the restaurant business and her heartfelt appreciation for her customers, Gocha’s interview is a smorgasbord of wisdom, passion, and authentic culinary experience.

So, if you're ready for a hearty serving of inspiration, you won't want to miss this episode. Tune in to the Chef AF podcast and get a taste of Gocha Hawkins' compelling journey from celebrity hairstylist to culinary influencer. For more updates about Gocha's endeavors, visit Gocha’s Breakfast Bar's official website.

Hungry for more delicious stories? Stay tuned to Chef AF for more delectable insights from culinary artisans around the world.