5Church Atlanta Announces Arrival of Executive Chef Scotley Innis

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5CHURCH ATLANTA ANNOUNCES ARRIVAL OF EXECUTIVE CHEF SCOTLEY INNIS

New Chef Brings Modernized Approach to Southern Cuisine at Hotspot in Heart of the City

ATLANTA (May 23, 2017) – Owner Ayman Kamel and his team at 5Church Atlanta are excited to welcome a new executive chef, Scotley Innis, who was formerly sous chef at South City Kitchen in Midtown and executive chef at Ormsby’s in West Midtown. Now, Innis blends his in-depth knowledge of Southern cuisine with his Caribbean heritage to give 5Church’s modern American menu a worldly approach with local flair.

“We’re thrilled to have Scotley joining our team,” says Kamel, who manages the restaurant’s daily operations. “Our guests are really going to enjoy the global flavors and modern edge that his cuisine has to offer.”

At 5Church, Innis aims to bring a more “up-tempo” Southern feel to the menu while also incorporating unique flavors from around the world. “So much of my cooking identity stems from my childhood and is blended with all I’ve learned as a chef here in Atlanta,” he says. “I am passionate about every meal I prepare, as though I’m cooking for my family and friends each night at the restaurant. Every time a guest comes to 5Church to dine, I want them to feel at ease and leave with an experience they will rave about.”

Innis continues to draw inspiration for his cuisine from his Caribbean background, incorporating ingredients that his mother and grandmother cooked on a daily basis. He loves applying unorthodox techniques to traditional dishes and thrives on the challenge of proving to locals that Southern staples can be modernized and still taste extraordinary. But it is Innis’ own son who really takes his imagination to the next level. “My son is an artist, and being with him always encourages me to step up my own creative game.”

In addition to the opportunity for creative growth, Innis was drawn to the familial feeling he got from 5Church. “When you’re working in a restaurant, the owner and staff become your second family. I immediately felt that level of comfort at 5Church; like I fit right in,” he says.

Innis’ early culinary career was spent working in local Jamaican-style restaurants in New York, but he soon desired to be a part of the quintessential Southern culture and made his move to Atlanta to begin pursuing a culinary arts education in 2005. While earning his culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu, Innis began working in the kitchen at Marriott Hotels and then Au Pied de Cochon at the InterContinental Hotel, climbing his way up the ladder from garde manger to line cook to chef and gaining experience in French culinary techniques.

After three years of working in large hotel dining operations, he became the executive chef at Mudcatz Bayou Bar and Grill in Dunwoody, where he immersed himself in Cajun and Creole cuisine. Innis was then hired as a line cook at Tom Colicchio’s Craftbar in Buckhead and sharpened his skills in fine dining cuisine. In December 2009, Innis accepted a position at Ormsby’s and was promoted to executive chef in 2011, where his seasonal menu focused on from-scratch comfort food and fresh pub favorites that relied heavily on local produce and herbs. He then joined the team at South City Kitchen in Midtown to further both his knowledge of Southern cuisine and the business behind running a restaurant. Innis is now using his varied experience to help 5Church build its brand in Atlanta.

About 5Church Atlanta

5Church is located at 1197 Peachtree Street NE in Midtown's Colony Square. The restaurant serves dinner, weekday lunch and weekend brunch service. Reservations may be made via OpenTable, and valet and validated parking is available every day. For updates, follow the restaurant on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. For additional information, visit 5churchatlanta.com.

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