Name
Breanna Boaz
How long have you worked for Chestnut?
It will be a year on July 7, 2017.
What is your favorite dish at Chestnut?
The Farro Risotto. It is a delicious vegetarian option, which chestnut is very accommodating to. I would like to include the salted caramel tart as my favorite dessert though because it’s so AMAZING! I recommend it to every table and every time they get it they fall in love with it.
If you could travel anywhere in the world were would it be?
It would be to hike the Himalayas.
What life lessons has working in the service industry taught you?
I’ve been in this industry for almost 10 years, it is a part of me. One of them would be, you never know what a person is going through and each dining experience may be special for them and we need to cater to that. They may be celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, a bachelorette or bachelor dinner, a mourning of a death or a loved one, the list goes on. Food brings people together and the experience of the food, service, atmosphere, it all ties in to helping these people. It has also taught me patience, how to slow down and speed up all at the same time, the importance of punctuality, and that our job is important.
What has your most memorable experience with a guest been?
My most memorable experience with a guest at chestnut would be serving this couple of whom the man had Parkinson’s. He ended up having a bad attack from the disease during his meal and I helped him out to his car. I often wonder where my future career will take me, but in moments like this one being a server is right where I want to be. I help people connect, have delicious food, smile, in this case help someone to their car, but I always want to help lighten someone’s day. I love the human interaction and connection that comes with this and especially here in Asheville, we get a lot of travelers who tell me amazing stories of places to visit.
A story about a favorite regular…
There is this couple who comes in during brunch and they are always such darlings. They make you feel like you’re part of their family because they remember your name every time they see you.
The nicest thing a guest has ever done for you?
The nicest thing a guest has ever done for me is to buy me a coach bag when they found out I was moving. I still can’t even believe they did that and every time I see it, which is everyday, I think of them.
