Episode 152: Open Flame Cooking, Michelin Stars and Becoming a Restauranteur with Chef Gerald Addison

On this episode I chat with Chef Gerald Addison. A DC-native, Bammy’s co-owner and co-executive chef, Gerald Addison, is passionate about creating a more diverse dining culture in DC and is proud to be a part of the city’s culinary growth. Prior to Bammy’s, Gerald served as co-owner and co-executive chef of DC’s award-winning sister restaurants Compass Rose and Maydan, where he worked alongside Chris Morgan. Collaborating as co-executive chefs for the first time, Gerald and Chris opened Maydan in November, 2017. Over the course of the next three years with them at the helm, Maydan was awarded a Michelin Star, named a James Beard Semifinalist, and received critical acclaim from local, regional, and national press including being named “No. 2 Best New Restaurant in America” by Bon Appetit, a “Top 10 Best New Restaurant” by Food & Wine, a “Best New Restaurant in America” by G.Q., one of Eater’s “18 Best New Restaurants in America”, etc. Gerald loves to travel and explore new cultures and foodways. His main goal is to use hospitality to teach people about a region they might not be familiar with and to tell the story of its people through the food and experiences they create in the restaurant. In the episode we chat about his career, the challenges of open flame cooking, getting awarded in the Michelin Guide, mental health, opening a restaurant during the pandemic and much more.  Check out Bammy's in DC: https://www.bammysdc.com/about Follow Chef Gerald on Instagram: @gmladdison Get your merchandise for the show here: linecookthoughts.com