After nearly seven years of business, South on Main co-owner and executive chef Matt Bell has announced he’s leaving the restaurant to become the executive chef of Gray & Dudley, the restaurant located in 21c Museum Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
Since 2013, Bell and South on Main have been a pioneering force in the revitalization of the SoMa neighborhood. Bell was also invited to cook for the James Beard Foundation House in 2015, a top honor for chefs across the country, and hosted an annual fine dining event benefiting No Kid Hungry.
According to 21c Museum Hotels, they were drawn to the chef’s community focus, which he will continue in Nashville.
“Giving back is extremely important to me,” Bell said. “There is no better way to do it than through my work as a chef. The connection of food and hospitality can be transformative.”
Bell and his wife Amy released the following statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page:
As we reflect on almost seven years of business, our most treasured memories are the ones we spent in service to you. We opened South on Main to create a space we had longed for in our community. Beyond the craft of our food and drinks, we wanted a place where everyone felt welcome, where we could celebrate art, culture, music and nourishment together.
It has been the most incredible gift to witness our employees grow over the past seven years. Watching them refine their skills, take on new challenges, and spread our vision of empathetic hospitality through the community has brought us immeasurable joy.
The SoMa restaurant and music venue will continue to operate with no interruptions, and all Oxford American shows will proceed as scheduled.
No word on new proprietors just yet, but we’ll keep you updated.
For more updates, follow South on Main on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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