Tastemakers | Holiday Dinner with Elliot Hunt of Atlas

Owner and Executive Chef of Atlas, Elliot Hunt first started cooking at age fifteen in Northwest Arkansas. He went on to study in France, where he worked under a Michelin-starred chef in Paris, then honed his skills in kitchens in Australia, India, Colorado, and Chicago. Throughout his travels, one dream has persisted—to share his art with his hometown community, from the finer points of service and hospitality to the intricate aspects of culinary craft.

Hunt has absorbed his Italian-French-American heritage along with the traditions of the chefs with whom he trained, and now follows his intuition in the kitchen. By interpreting the ingredients and techniques he has encountered in his journeys, Hunt has forged a style of his own. Drawing on numerous culinary traditions, Hunt invents colorful, pictorial dishes that play with textures, flavors, and bold contrasts.

Hunt’s meticulous attention to the smallest detail is evident in every aspect of Atlas. For each dish, the provenance of each ingredient and the selection of every serving plate is carefully considered and crafted for its role in the dining experience. The creative process for Hunt relies heavily on the farmers who cultivate produce and the artisans who create serving pieces exclusively for Atlas. Hunt has successfully assembled an expert staff that shares his culinary philosophy and his vision to raise the standard of cuisine, service, and hospitality in Northwest Arkansas.