CHEF HOLDEN
CLAYWOOD
Chef Christopher Holden and his family are deeply rooted in a lifestyle that reflects the values at the heart of Claywood—connection to the land, respect for exceptional ingredients, and a commitment to building something meaningful from the ground up. Their homestead and dedication to seasonal, sustainable foodways shape a hands-on approach that naturally extends into every dish served at the restaurant.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Holden brings more than 20 years of culinary experience, including over a decade in fine dining. Throughout his career, he has honed his craft in kitchens that emphasize classical technique, whole-animal butchery, live-fire cooking, and thoughtful sourcing. His philosophy centers on letting exceptional ingredients speak for themselves while creating food that is both refined and deeply connected to place.
His background includes time in highly respected kitchens such as DB Bistro Moderne, where he trained under the standards of French fine dining, as well as international experience in France working within authentic farm-to-table cuisine. He has also held leadership roles as an Executive Chef and partner, where he developed and launched farm-driven concepts and built kitchen systems from the ground up.
Most recently, Chris has been leading kitchens here in Western North Carolina while also operating his own concept, giving him a strong balance of creativity, operational awareness, and real ownership mentality.
What stood out most to us is his ability to lead with both confidence and humility—he understands not only how to execute at a high level, but how to build and guide a team with intention. His experience spans everything from fine dining execution to menu development, staffing, food cost management, and creating systems that support consistency.
What makes this especially meaningful is how closely this mirrors our own story. From our family to his, there is a shared understanding of what it means to work with purpose, to source thoughtfully, and to create experiences grounded in both care and craft.
This next chapter for Claywood is not just about evolving the menu—it’s about continuing to build something that feels honest, connected, and aligned with the people and community around us.
We are incredibly excited for what’s ahead and grateful to have Chef Holden stepping into this role alongside us.
