Exploring Life & Business with Anthony Suazo of Atria

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Suazo.

Hi Anthony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At a young age, I would watch The Food Network, specifically Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay. It was a calming energy for me to watch and subconsciously aspire to. Also, at this age, I was asking about everything and constantly bothering my Nana in the kitchen. These were the stepping stones to what I would do much later in life, but I always thought of becoming a doctor. Life progressed, and I was at the University of Arizona studying a field completely different from my life now. I discovered the traditional school setting wasn’t for me, and on a whim, I decided to enroll in culinary school after my first year. I began working a few months in school and discovered how exciting and thrilling working in restaurants is. I live in Flagstaff, AZ, with my partner Brandon and our black lab Zamboni. I work at Atria Restaurant located downtown.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to ‘chiefdom’ is incredibly strenuous and tough on the physical body, but I think more so on the mental health. The hours are long, the days even longer. Holidays are spent working instead of with family, like birthdays, celebrations, and even deaths. These struggles are the human experience, and any working adult can attest to that, but the culmination of passion and art in food pushes you to become even better than the day before. You want to learn and improve, but that involves time and experience. That time and experience only come from compromise of your time, so I believe those who work in hospitality are the most selfless. Our job is to provide the best experience and invite guests to see the best versions of ourselves, even with constant turmoil.

We’ve been impressed with Atria, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart?
Rochelle Daniel founded Atria Restaurant. It is female-owned and run by her and Maribel Silva, her long-time friend and colleague. We specialize in Modern American Cuisine, backed by French techniques and inspired by the locality/seasonality of ingredients. Our dedication to providing Michelin-style service and food to a small town shows our respect for the local community. We are proud to be part of a community that allows for modern fine dining while expecting a beautiful dining experience. This includes a wood fire grill for optimized flavor, a team working together for years, and a group passion for excellence.

Are any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I think Instagram is important in seeing food worldwide and getting inspired. It’s also still a great way to get in contact with people in the hospitality industry worldwide. As for a podcast, I’ve been into Dungeons & Daddies, more so for the comedic relief from a high-pressure career. Because I work in a modern American restaurant, we can do pretty much anything we want because America houses so many different walks of life. Allowing myself to be inspired by techniques, flavors, and different cultures the world provides is big in what I do. With that, I am constantly reading different cookbooks or researching chefs and restaurants using social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: Atriarestaurant.com
• Instagram: anthonyflagsuazo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-suazo-5aa17396

Image Credits
Anthony Suazo, Debbie Wolvos, Rochelle Daniel