Chef Andrew Smith on Isla, Supper Clubs & Reinventing the Restaurant Experience in Columbus
Update: 2025-04-24
Description
In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Chef Andrew Smith, a longtime fixture in the Columbus culinary scene and the creative force behind the upcoming Marion Village restaurant, Isla. From his time at spots like Rockmill Tavern and The Rossi to the wildly popular private supper clubs he launched at home, Andrew shares why he stepped away from the traditional restaurant grind—and what drew him back.
We dive into the philosophy behind Isla, how it grew out of his home dining experiences, and the ways he’s redesigning the restaurant model to center community, creativity, and control. Andrew talks about what guests can expect at Isla (hello, 8-course menus and “potato cloud” dreams), his vision for a low-stress kitchen, and why building a better food city starts with supporting each other.
If you’re passionate about chef-driven dining, food as connection, and new restaurant concepts with soul, this one’s for you.
We dive into the philosophy behind Isla, how it grew out of his home dining experiences, and the ways he’s redesigning the restaurant model to center community, creativity, and control. Andrew talks about what guests can expect at Isla (hello, 8-course menus and “potato cloud” dreams), his vision for a low-stress kitchen, and why building a better food city starts with supporting each other.
If you’re passionate about chef-driven dining, food as connection, and new restaurant concepts with soul, this one’s for you.
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