lystn

It takes guts to roll into a new town and open a contemporary American restaurant that pushes the boundaries of what's been seen there before, and that's exactly what Philip Krajeck and his wife, Anastasia, did back in 2012 when they opened RAD, which was immediately embraced by the Nashville food community.

See, they don't cook for accolades or praise; they cook for themselves, the farmers, the employees, and the diners. Philips's down-to-earth personality and incredible ability to communicate effectively have allowed him to maintain a strong and committed team, which allows them to continually raise the bar and find ways to become a better, more committed restaurant to every person who plays a part in his restaurants succeeding.

And hot of his trip to Chicago has a beard awards finalists, chef sits down with Eli to discuss what that means to him and his restaurants as well as the keys to his continued success.