For Chef Blake Hartley, hospitality has always been about fellowship, the simple joy of bringing people together around the table. Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, his passion for cooking began during his senior year of high school, when he would host dinners for friends before Friday night football games. What started as a fun gathering quickly became a calling.
After culinary school, Blake trained in Birmingham’s most respected kitchens, including Hot & Hot Fish Club and Bottega, where he developed a deep respect for both technicality and simplicity, letting great ingredients shine. He moved to Atlanta in 2016 to join Maven Restaurant Group and helped open Lapeer’s Alpharetta location in 2019. At Lapeer Birmingham, Blake brings his journey full circle, pairing refined technique with a deep appreciation for seasonality and ingredient-driven cooking. His goal is to always foster a collaborative work environment where everyone’s ideas are valued.
2:00 pm - 5:30 pm
