Meet Ashley Bunch-Easley | Executive Chef & Caterer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Bunch-Easley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from Nashville, TN. East Nashville to be exact. Nashville is so gentrified now that where I grew up is full up condos, hipster bars, etc. it would’ve been considered “low income housing” when I lived there. Good and bad times but overall It’s made me who I am today. It puts a different type of fire under you. I feel like I have something you can’t be taught in school. I was raised by my mother, aunty, grandparents, and my cousin who is more like my sister. Both of my grandmothers Dorothy & Ellen would give you some Of the best soul food you ever tasted. My goal is to take what I grew up on and elevate it without compromising the integrity of the dishes. I put real time and passion into my dishes. No short cuts and that’s what got me to where I am now.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an executive Chef in Marietta Ga at a new restaurant concept called QUADRA. A fusion of southern, Latin, and Caribbean dishes. I’ve been in Atlanta for 3 years now and I’m glad I took the job opportunity/Leap of faith. Although TN will always be home. The road traveled hasn’t been easy but I can say it’s worth it. I got in a lot of trouble in my younger days and I honestly got tired of putting myself and my family through that. My aunt worked at the Sheriff’s department and got me into a cooking program At the jail to help out with my time/probation. I was so excited that I finally had something to focus on and better myself. I came home and tried to go to culinary school but they wouldn’t accept me because of my background. I was crushed. But I didn’t give up. I started DreamCuisine and started selling plates out of my moms house. I studied anything food related. Food network, YouTube, trial and error, you name it I did it. I’ve succeeded, I’ve failed, I mean I put my blood sweat and tears into perfecting my craft. I’m proud of the person I’m becoming and I hire a lot of people like myself. You’d be surprised what’ a second chance can do for a person. I hope to eventually start a program to help folks who are interested in culinary but don’t have the resources. If I can do it you can to and I want anyone that’s willing to put the work in to know that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Im still figuring the city out myself I’m so consumed with work. It’s ATL It’s always something to do lol. They gotta come Eat wherever I’m cooking of course. Forza Storico, Jinya for Ramen, Marcus on Edgewood for the best brunch buffet. I’m pretty simple good food, bar hop at some dive bars, and don’t forget the strip clubs LOL.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family. Family is everything to me and I can honestly say that mine has my back. My oldest sister in particular. Literally my rock. I appreciate them all the Bunch and Easley clan.

Instagram: Bunchieb_

Facebook: Ashley Bunch

Image Credits
Chris Instagram/stmxvisuals