Humans of Chestnut: Ivy Fritsch

Ivy is one of the younger members of our team but that hasn’t stopped her from learning fast and stepping up where she’s needed to help get through a shift smoothly. She’s proof that when people have previous restaurant experience, it shows.

What is your position in the restaurant, and how did you end up here at Chestnut?

I am a host and a food runner. I like to consider myself a multi use person in the restaurant. I was looking for a job in my junior year of high school and luckily one of my friends put in a good word for me.

Can you talk a little about what you’re most passionate about outside of what you do for work?

At the moment I am very passionate about reconnecting with the people I wasn’t able to be around for the past two years. As well as being out in nature as much as possible; you can’t really avoid nature here in Asheville anyways so it’s not like I have a choice. I’m just trying to figure out what direction I’m going in at the moment.

Are you an Asheville native, or alternatively what brought you here?

I was born in Tucson, Arizona. I had my first birthday in Asheville so if anyone asks me, I’m from here. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned working in a restaurant?

As someone who has been working in family restaurants since I was 10 or 11 I’ve learned quite a lot. However the most valuable thing I’ve learned would either be the importance of communicating with your peers or the work ethic I have gotten over the years.

What food recommendations do you have for people in the Asheville area?

I don’t really go out to eat much but my favorite places are Ukiah, they’ve got some of the best Japanese cuisine I’ve ever seen in Asheville. I really like Ultra Coffeebar in the River Arts District, they arguably have the best bagels in Asheville. I would also highly recommend Sunny Point Cafe, they have a line out front of their restaurant every time I drive or walk by. [So go early!]