Six months after changing its name from Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway to Earnest Bar & Hideaway, the popular Wedgewood-Houston restaurant has announced another development: a change in the kitchen. Holly Peters has been named the new executive chef after a year of service as sous chef. Chef Peters is a graduate of the culinary school at The Art Institute of Atlanta and has cooked in local kitchens under the auspices of beloved local chef Deb Paquette as well as at Silo and Tin Wings.
She has recently released her first new take on the menu reflecting her current culinary passions, and it has been quite well received. Among the highlights of the new menu include dishes like perfectly-seared spice-rubbed scallops served with a sweet potato purée under a warm frisee salad, and also a delectable pork chop topped with grilled radicchio and apple slaw plus a smoked date purée.
Peters’ promotion in the kitchen coincided with the news that former Earnest chef Larry Carlile was moving to Earnest’s new sister restaurant, Fat Kat Slim’s in the Gulch where he was to run the kitchen at the mod elevated diner and bar. Sadly, Chef Carlise recently passed away suddenly, and he will be remembered as one of the true good guys in the local chef community. A recent article at the Nashville Scene shares the details of the chef’s passing and offers resources to assist anyone in the food and beverage industry who might be looking for information or support with regard to the high-stress pressurized jobs that come along with restaurant and bar work.
In the article, Chef Peters offered a tribute to her former mentor: “My sweet friend, I miss you more than words will ever describe. I’ve never had a person I shared so much with. You were my partner and my friend these past two years. You taught me so much professionally and you showed me how to be passionate again.” She continues, “I believed in you then and I believe in you now. Larry, your light will always shine in my eyes. I don’t know how I’m going to do this without you, but I promise to fight.” The best tribute Peters can offer will be to continue Earnest Bar & Hideaway’s legacy of great food and service.
