Aria in Buckhead Hires Kennesaw Native Elissa Hayward as Executive Pastry Chef

Aria, the Buckhead restaurant Gerry Klaskala opened in 2000 and sold in 2025 to longtime general manager Andrés Loaiza, hired Kennesaw native Elissa Hayward as executive pastry chef in August, Atlanta Magazine reports. She is reworking the dessert menu one item at a time toward four desserts and a trio of housemade sorbets.

Why It Matters for Atlanta Professionals

One of Buckhead's longest-running fine-dining rooms keeps retooling under new ownership, a useful signal for client dinners and date nights.

Source

First reported by Atlanta Magazine: Atlanta Magazine

Cover: Graphic: BNG

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