Chef Gerry Klaskala Retires After 25 Years At Atlanta’s Iconic Aria Restaurant

Chef Gerry Klaskala has announced his retirement from Aria, marking the end of an era at one of Atlantas most celebrated culinary venues. The news coincides with the restaurant’s 25th anniversary, a benchmark that highlights Klaskalas enduring influence on the city’s dining scene.

Klaskala co-founded Aria alongside Ron San Martin and George McKerrow, crafting a dining experience that quickly rose to prominence. Known for its modern American cuisine, Aria has received numerous accolades, including being featured on Wine Enthusiast’s “Best Wine Restaurants in America” and earning recognition as a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Outstanding Service.

“Its time. Its been a great, great ride. Im satisfied,” Klaskala said.

“I have head-over-heels loved what Ive been doing,” he said. “Ive always said it was like going to the playground every day. I felt like a kid never wanting to leave, even when the lights came on and my dad was trying to persuade me to come home. Each guest who has made a reservation and each staffer who decided to work at Aria put their faith in us, and we took that responsibility very seriously and embraced it.”

As he steps away from the restaurant scene, Klaskala plans to return to his first passion, drawing and painting. He abandoned his art studies as a teenager in order to attend culinary school.

“My plans arent grandiose,” he said. “For me, art is a way to get lost in my thoughts and ideas. Cooking for a living requires focus and concentration. Now Ill have the time to explore my other interests. For so long, I felt like I couldnt step away without compromising the restaurant — I even felt guilty just sitting down to read a book. Now, I finally have that freedom.”

Ownership of Aria is now transitioning to its longtime general manager, Andrés Loaiza.

“I love this place Gerry created, and I love what we do here,” Loaiza said. “The regulars know and trust me. Aria will continue to live and breathe by the standards Gerry set. This transition allows us to evolve and begin the next chapter.”

As Aria celebrates its 25th anniversary and Klaskala ends a career that has spanned more than 50 years, a national search is on for his replacement.

“Aria has succeeded over the years by evolving,” Loaiza said. “This transition allows us to get a fresh set of eyes on the experience we present and make that experience even better as we introduce Aria to the next generation of Atlantans.”