About

Wood Fired Cooking and Serious Libations

Inspired by trips to Baja Mexico and the Amalfi Coast, we fell in love with traditional wood fired cooking and the casual, welcoming environments where we enjoyed memorable everyday meals. From taco stands to small family-run wineries and pizzerias, strangers treated us like old friends and the food and hospitality was special. Much of what we have learned comes from these travels and experimenting in our own backyards. We love the rustic, yet simple flavors of wood fired cooking that elevates fresh ingredients and tried and true favorites to something unique. The wood oven remains the heart of our kitchens and anchors our restaurants.

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Founders

With varied backgrounds in finance, music, communications and restaurants, Big Kitchen Hospitality Partners, John and Susan Davenport, Jeff Grant and John Haggai, came together to open a restaurant featuring wood fired cooking, a seasonal menu, and craft libations. After 18 months of traveling and testing, they opened Tazza Kitchen Short Pump in Richmond, Virginia, in 2013. The group now operates six Tazza Kitchen locations in Virginia and the Carolinas and the catering arm, The Big Kitchen in Richmond. While all four partners have a hand in daily operations, John D oversees finance, Jeff leads the culinary team, Susan manages people development and customer engagement, and John H manages the beverage program, FOH operations, and construction.