Having no bags of chips or processed meats in his childhood home meant Benjamin Wilt, 29, had to get creative when it came to snacks, and as he aged, some of his meals.
Easy Bistro in the News
Jun 05, 2026
Meet the Chef: How Easy Bistro’s Benjamin Wilt went from ‘ingredient household’ to executive sous chef
Apr 21, 2026
The Perfect Culinary Road Trip Through Tennessee
Tennessee’s soul has always lived in its music halls, mountain towns and front-porch hospitality. But the state’s food scene deserves equal billing.
Feb 24, 2026
This Chef Is Passionate About His Barrel Picks
Erik Niel owns three restaurants in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and he’s passionate about whisky— especially exclusive barrel picks. He offers more than 20 private barrel selections at his venues—Easy Bistro & Bar, Main Street Meats, and Little Coyote—and plans to expand that repertoire.
Jan 01, 2026
The Resy Hit List: Where In Nashville You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
Dec 31, 2025
How To Pull off the Perfect Prime Rib With Chef Erik Niel
Erik and Amanda Niel have plenty to celebrate this holiday season. This past May, their Chattanooga restaurant Easy Bistro & Bar, where Erik showcases his love for French Creole cuisine, turned 20.
Dec 19, 2025
15 Tennessee Restaurants Recognized As Michelin Standouts
If you've been putting off a trip to Tennessee, this remarkable restaurant line-up will surely persuade you to visit soon. The Volunteer State might be best known for the musical cities of Nashville and Memphis, but it has much more to offer, especially from a culinary perspective.
Nov 05, 2025
Four Chattanooga Restaurants Acknowledged By The Michelin Guide To The American South
The world-renowned Michelin Guide has announced their inaugural restaurant selections for the American South and four Chattanooga restaurants have made the prestigious list.
Nov 04, 2025
Restaurant Scene: Leaked winners list didn’t spoil Michelin event for Chattanooga area restaurants
On Monday evening, the Peace Center in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, was filled with the finest culinary talent in the South.
Nov 03, 2025
Breaking News: Michelin Awards Six Area Restaurants
Congratulations, Easy Bistro & Bar, Judith, Little Coyote, LUNCH, Main Street Meats, and The Rosecomb. You're now in the Michelin family. On Monday evening, four Chattanooga restaurants and two Sewanee restaurants were awarded prestigious recognition in the new American South Michelin Guide.
Oct 11, 2025
Chef Erik Niel: How a Cajun Kid Helped Build Chattanooga’s Culinary Identity
Chef Erik Niel talks about fishing the way most chefs talk about their mentors. Growing up in Mandeville, Louisiana, he spent his childhood waist-deep in the lakes north of New Orleans, chasing redfish and speckled trout with his dad and brother. “I was just having fun being outside,” he told me. “It ignited a desire to learn how to cook what I caught or killed.”