Meet Sam Burgess | Chef, owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Burgess and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my business because I surrounded myself around like minded people when i came to college. My closest friends all started businesses around the same timeframe and that motivated me and gave me the courage to start a business of my own.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’ve never been afraid to introduce myself to new surroundings. I make it my business to know ask the right questions and put myself in settings where strangers become partnerships and friends. Networking is a key element in any industry. My ability to network is what sets me apart from others. This is a skill that I showcase on a daily basis because it is a necessity within my business platform. I’ve learned that the cliche saying is very much true, “it’s not about what you know, but who you know.”

I want the world to know that if a kid from Cleveland, OH can move to Florida and create a successful business, so can you. A vision and a plan can take you a long way. Along the journey take people with you to help guide you in the right direction. Surround yourself around like minded people and the possibilities will be limitless.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Arrival and Downtown Exploration
**Morning:**
– **Breakfast:** Start with a hearty breakfast at **Atlanta Breakfast Club**.
– **Visit:** Explore the **Georgia Aquarium** and **World of Coca-Cola**.

**Afternoon:**
– **Lunch:** Enjoy a southern-style meal at **Mary Mac’s Tea Room**.
– **Visit:** Walk around **Centennial Olympic Park** and check out the **Center for Civil and Human Rights**.

**Evening:**
– **Dinner:** Dine at **Ecco Midtown** for Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
– **Drink:** Head to **SkyLounge** for a rooftop cocktail with a view.

### Day 2: Historical and Cultural Sights
**Morning:**
– **Breakfast:** Grab a coffee and pastry at **Dancing Goats Coffee Bar**.
– **Visit:** Tour the **Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park**.

**Afternoon:**
– **Lunch:** Try the eclectic menu at **Thumbs Up Diner**.
– **Visit:** Explore the **Atlanta History Center**.

**Evening:**
– **Dinner:** Enjoy upscale southern cuisine at **South City Kitchen** in Buckhead.
– **Drink:** Visit **The Painted Pin**, a cool bowling alley with great drinks and games.

### Day 3: Outdoor Adventure
**Morning:**
– **Breakfast:** Have a delicious breakfast at **The Flying Biscuit Cafe**.
– **Visit:** Hike up **Stone Mountain** for great views and a bit of exercise.

**Afternoon:**
– **Lunch:** Picnic at **Piedmont Park** with takeout from **MetroFresh**.
– **Visit:** Stroll through the **Atlanta Botanical Garden**.

**Evening:**
– **Dinner:** Enjoy BBQ at **Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q**.
– **Drink:** Check out the local craft beers at **SweetWater Brewing Company**.

### Day 4: Art and Shopping
**Morning:**
– **Breakfast:** Start with a bagel and coffee at **Emerald City Bagels**.
– **Visit:** Visit the **High Museum of Art**.

**Afternoon:**
– **Lunch:** Savor a meal at **Empire State South**.
– **Visit:** Go shopping in **Ponce City Market** and walk the **BeltLine**.

**Evening:**
– **Dinner:** Experience farm-to-table dining at **Miller Union**.
– **Drink:** Sip cocktails at **Ticonderoga Club** in Krog Street Market.

### Day 5: Neighborhood Exploration
**Morning:**
– **Breakfast:** Try the delicious breakfast tacos at **Muchacho**.
– **Visit:** Explore the quirky **Little Five Points** neighborhood.

**Afternoon:**
– **Lunch:** Have a meal at **The Vortex**.
– **Visit:** Check out the street art and shops in **Cabbagetown**.

**Evening:**
– **Dinner:** Dine at **Staplehouse**, a unique and philanthropic dining experience.
– **Drink:** Enjoy a nightcap at **The James Room**, a speakeasy-style bar.

### Day 6: Day Trip
**Morning:**
– **Breakfast:** Early breakfast at **West Egg Café**.
– **Visit:** Drive to **Chateau Elan Winery & Resort** for a day of wine tasting and relaxation.

**Afternoon:**
– **Lunch:** Enjoy lunch at the winery’s **Versailles Restaurant**.
– **Visit:** Take a tour of the winery and vineyard.

**Evening:**
– **Dinner:** Head back to Atlanta for dinner at **Aria**.
– **Drink:** Wind down at **Kimball House** with their renowned oysters and cocktails.

### Day 7: Relax and Recap
**Morning:**
– **Breakfast:** Relax with a leisurely breakfast at **Sun in My Belly**.
– **Visit:** Spend some time at **The Fox Theatre**, either for a tour or a show.

**Afternoon:**
– **Lunch:** Enjoy Italian fare at **Antico Pizza Napoletana**.
– **Visit:** Take it easy and stroll through the **Atlanta BeltLine** one last time, perhaps renting a bike.

**Evening:**
– **Dinner:** Finish the trip with an elegant dinner at **Bacchanalia**.
– **Drink:** End with a drink at **Estrella Rooftop**.

This itinerary balances a mix of culture, history, outdoor activities, and amazing food and drinks, showcasing the best of what Atlanta has to offer!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family gets all the credit when it comes to finding my initial passion for cooking. My parents, and grandparents have taught me both family traditions and the visual representation of the power of food as a universal love language amongst people. Regardless of who you are, what you look like, your religious beliefs, food brings everyone together.

I can’t forget my close friends from high school where I first got started on my culinary journey and to my classmates in college at Florida A&M University I am forever indebted.

Website: https://www.pineappetit.com

Instagram: @chef_sam06 @pineappetittally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineappetitTally?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Yelp: Pineappetit