Atlanta's culinary excellence took center stage in New York City when Lazy Betty, the beloved Inman Park tasting menu restaurant, was featured in a prestigious one-night-only dinner at Pier 57 as part of the James Beard Foundation's Platform Dinner series in 2025.
The dinner, titled 'A Night of Luxury with Michelin-Starred Lazy Betty,' showcased the extraordinary talents of culinary director Ron Hsu and executive chef Aaron Phillips, bringing Atlanta's sophisticated dining scene to a national audience of food enthusiasts and industry professionals.
Lazy Betty has earned consecutive Michelin stars in 2023 and 2024, cementing its place among the South's finest dining establishments. The restaurant has also received two James Beard Award nominations, including Best Chef Southeast and Best New Restaurant semifinalist recognition.
Hsu's journey to culinary stardom began humbly—as an onion peeler at his parents' restaurant, Hunan Village, in Stockbridge, Georgia. His path led him through the kitchens of New York's legendary Le Bernardin before returning to his home state to open Lazy Betty in 2019. Phillips, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, honed his craft at prestigious New York establishments including Bouley, Jean-Georges' The Mark Restaurant, and Le Bernardin.
Beyond their culinary achievements, the Lazy Betty team demonstrates a commitment to community. Hsu serves on the steering committee at RAISE High Road, advocating for equitable pay in the restaurant industry, and works with KultureCity to support those with non-visible disabilities. The restaurant has also received sensory-inclusive certification, ensuring an welcoming environment for all guests.
'Receiving a Michelin star has been my greatest professional accomplishment,' Phillips shared. His advice to aspiring chefs: 'Work for the best places, not just the best wages.'
With dreams of writing a cookbook and opening a Chinese restaurant still on his bucket list, Hsu continues to elevate Atlanta's culinary reputation while staying true to his Georgia roots.