Aria’s James Beard Nomination Marks a Celebrated Milestone and a New Chapter

By Daniela Cintron

Published June 16, 2025

There was a quiet kind of pride in the air at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago. As the 2025 James Beard Awards unfolded, Atlanta had one strong representative in the room: Aria, the beloved Buckhead institution, nominated for Outstanding Hospitality — and the only finalist from Georgia this year.

While the award ultimately went to another restaurant, being named a finalist in this prestigious category is no small feat. In fact, for those of us who have dined at Aria, it feels like long-overdue recognition for something we’ve known all along: Aria is hospitality done right.

A Legacy Built on Warmth and Elegance

For 25 years, Aria has set the standard for elevated dining in Atlanta — not just because of its seasonal menus or intimate interior (complete with that iconic chandelier), but because of how it makes you feel. Eating at Aria isn’t pretentious or intimidating; it feels like being invited to an intimate dinner party at a friend’s house — if that friend had impeccable wine taste and flawless timing.

That welcoming spirit was cultivated by Chef Gerry Klaskala, who opened Aria in 2000 in a converted home on East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. His journey to Aria began decades earlier, when he traded his dream of becoming a visual artist for a career in the culinary world, enrolling at the Culinary Institute of America. After working in hotel kitchens in Boston and Savannah, he arrived in Atlanta in 1987 to become part of the iconic Buckhead Diner. He later co-founded Canoe in 1995 and then launched Aria five years later, building a space that would become one of Atlanta’s most enduring fine dining destinations.

Over the years, Gerry became known not only for his thoughtful cuisine, but for his mentorship and devotion to the industry. He helped shape the careers of some of the city’s most talented chefs, including Christopher Grossman (The Chastain), Austin Goetzman (Lazy Betty), and Alan Byers (The Deer and the Dove). In 2018, the Georgia Restaurant Association honored him with a lifetime achievement award — and in April 2025, Aria received one of its highest honors yet: becoming a James Beard finalist.

Passing the Torch

That nomination came just as Aria was preparing for a new chapter. In March 2025, Gerry announced his retirement from the restaurant industry after 55 years. On June 14 — exactly 25 years to the day that Aria first opened — he officially stepped away, handing the keys to a trusted and familiar face: Andres Loaiza, Aria’s longtime general manager and sommelier.

Andres has been with Aria for 18 years, quietly shaping the experience in the front of house while Gerry led the back. His presence in the dining room is unmistakable — always gracious, always warm, always genuine. If you’re a regular, he remembers your name. If it’s your first visit, he’ll make sure you feel like you belong.

He isn’t just a great host — he’s the embodiment of Aria’s hospitality philosophy. And it’s no coincidence that the restaurant’s nomination for Outstanding Hospitality came in the same season that Andres stepped into ownership. This is a recognition not only of Gerry’s legacy, but of the promise and vision Andres brings into Aria’s future.

Looking Forward

Representing Aria at the awards ceremony in Chicago were Andres Loaiza, Senior Sommelier Remy Loet, Bar Lead Stefano Gandossi, and newly appointed Executive Chef Joseph Harrison. While they may not have taken home the medal, their presence on that national stage signals something big: Aria is evolving, but it’s not going anywhere.

With Andres now at the helm, and a new team ready to carry the torch, Aria’s next chapter is full of possibility. Gerry plans to return to his first love — painting and drawing — but his imprint on Atlanta’s food landscape, and on Aria itself, is permanent.

In a city full of buzzy openings and fleeting trends, Aria remains a touchstone — a place where you can show up as you are, and leave feeling like you’ve been cared for. That’s what hospitality really means. And that’s why this nomination matters so much — not just as a national recognition, but as a heartfelt thank you from a city that’s proud to call Aria its own.

Here’s to 25 years of excellence — and to the next 25, under the glow of that chandelier and the care of a new generation.

Daniela is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta. As an award-winning bilingual journalist, she is passionate about shinning light on untold stories about culture, food and Atlanta.