Asheville’s Corner Kitchen has named Chef David Van Tassel as executive chef beginning in May 2019. Van Tassel replaces former executive chef Josh Chapman who ran the historic, 124 year-old, Green-Certified venue for more than five years.
A graduate of AB-Tech’s Culinary Arts program, Van Tassel is used to leading an energetic and demanding kitchen: Ashevillians will recognize him as the former executive chef of The Junction, where he was known for his culinary creativity and loquacious nature, both qualities he took with him to Chestnut after The Junction abruptly closed in 2017. “Joe Scully was the first person I called when I needed a job.” Since working there, he says that Chestnut’s Chef and Co-owner Joe Scully taught him valuable lessons about staying in a culinary lane and communicating effectively. “I learned how to reframe situations thanks to Joe. I know how to say, ‘Mind if we talk about this’?” According to Van Tassel, opening up dialogue in a kitchen is still new territory for many in the culinary world, but something he believes to be crucial to great food.