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.

Suppliers Travel & Inspiration Press

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 Davenports and Grant continue to partner in the day to day operations of the business. The group now operates six Tazza Kitchen locations in Virginia and the Carolinas.

Store Leadership

Chris CurtinSenior Operating Partner
Short Pump

Dave DesseynSenior Operating Partner
Trenholm Plaza

Phil BarrarOperating Partner
Alverser Plaza

Alex PetersonOperating Partner
Stone Creek Village

Danielle WelshOperating Partner
Village District

Tommy MelvinOperating Partner
Scott’s Addition

Elizabeth OliverAsst. Gen. Manager
Scott’s Addition

Rick DiringerAsst. Gen. Manager
Village District

Food & Beverage

Amber ForteBar Lead, Scott’s Addition

Enya DuboisBar Lead, Stone Creek Village

Dimitri McQueenSous Chef, Alverser Plaza

Stephen MetcalfBar Lead, Short Pump

Luis Guajardo BuenoKitchen Mgr., Short Pump

Ansel PaceSous Chef, Scotts Addition

Lauren SpainBeverage Director

Marcos SanchezKitchen Mgr., Village District

Mara SudolBeverage Lead, Village District

#TazzaFamily

Happy Thirsty Thursday, let us introduce to you ...

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Jul 22

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Happy Thirsty Thursday, let us introduce to you Scott’s Addition’s new AGM! Liz is a Richmond native that has been with the company for 4 years this August. When she’s not at work, you can find her sippin’ Mezcal margaritas! Thank you for all that you do, Liz!

#managerlife #girlboss #ladyboss #mezcallovers #mezcalfreak #rva #employeeappreciation #love #scottsaddition #tazzafamily #tazzakitchen

YES, CHEF! A big, warm welcome to @anselpace2 who ...

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Jul 7

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YES, CHEF! A big, warm welcome to @anselpace2 who has taken over the RVA leadership role in Scott’s Addition. He has years of experience under his belt, and makes a mean hot sauce! Thanks for everything you do!

#employeeappreciation #tazzafamily #tazzakitchen #cheflife #hotsauceaddict #spicyboi #rva #raleigh #cary #sodacitysc

TK is proud to exhibit the work of brilliant ...

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Jul 2

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TK is proud to exhibit the work of brilliant artist Maddy Keener. She is so talented, and we are lucky to have her on our staff!

#loveyourpeople #talentedartist #ink #paper #flowers #tazzafamily #tazzakitchen

As challenging as this past year has been, it has ...

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May 13

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As challenging as this past year has been, it has highlighted the dedication and hard work of the young leaders in our company. Today we recognize Dayna Higgins, recently promoted to Employee Advocate. She is taking on HR responsibilities company wide. As a staff member at our Short Pump location for almost 8 years and the mother of three awesome kids, her knowledge of our company and the needs of our people will be a great resource as we strengthen employee initiatives and grow our business. #TazzaFamily #SilverLinings

We’re looking to expand our teams at all ...

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Apr 21

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We’re looking to expand our teams at all locations - servers, cooks, dishwashers. If you or someone you know has high energy, loves food and craft beverages, then this might be the place for you! We offer great benefits including meal discounts, flexible schedules, fair wages, paid sick leave, health insurance for those who qualify. Apply now using the link in our bio. #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

@b1g_steph has been taking care of our Short Pump ...

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Apr 20

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@b1g_steph has been taking care of our Short Pump customers for over 7 years. You’ll likely find him behind the bar where his craft cocktails start your evening off just right. Thanks for all your work Stephen. Another round of those Mr. Tillmans please! (@georgedickel 12 whiskey, @drinkgalliano, cucumber, peppermint tea, lime) #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

Danielle Welsh was a college student when she ...

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Mar 31

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Danielle Welsh was a college student when she joined our staff as a part-time host 6 1/2 years ago. We knew there was something special about her. Today we are absolutely thrilled to announce Danielle as the new Operating Partner of our Village District location. She has worked hard for this well deserved promotion. Love seeing our folks grow. Can’t wait to see what she and her team will accomplish! #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

For nearly ten years @regmcgee has been a mentor, ...

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Mar 26

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For nearly ten years @regmcgee has been a mentor, coach, and leader at our company. Today we share the news that he and his family are embarking on a new adventure in Asheville. He will be joining his father in law in a family business where he and Laura will raise their kids surrounded by cousins. We couldn’t be more thrilled for them. BUT boy will we miss him.

Reggie—we cannot thank you enough for your hard work and dedication, especially this past year. The success of our Village District location is due to your leadership as Operating Partner and the incredible staff that you have developed along the way. You have made a difference is so many lives. #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

We couldn’t be more proud of our new Kitchen ...

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Mar 18

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We couldn’t be more proud of our new Kitchen Manager at TK Short Pump. Luis Guajardo Bueno walked through our doors four years ago and has worked his way up, earning the respect of the entire team. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Here’s to you, Luis! #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

Shout out to the talented artist, @maddykeener.art...

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Feb 19

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Shout out to the talented artist, @maddykeener.art who just celebrated 2 years at our Scott’s Addition location. Her work in the restaurant during this past year has inspired her new series that so perfectly captures the contradictions in providing hospitality during a pandemic. Her artist statement says it all. So proud to have her on our team. Click the post in our stories to read more about what she had to say! #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

Now that's how you make a pizza! 🍕 Teimor ...

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Jan 22

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Now that's how you make a pizza! 🍕 Teimor is one of the best, and we love watching him craft pizzas. You can find him and some of our other rockstars at our Alverser Plaza location. #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

Shoutout to @sturgis804 today. One of our longest ...

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Nov 11

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Shoutout to @sturgis804 today. One of our longest tenured employees and a veteran who served in the Marines, Michael can be found smoking our brisket and pork and testing new recipes. Thank Michael and all veterans who have served our country. We are grateful for your service. 🇺🇸 #TazzaFamily #VeteransDay

Shout out to @dericwatson who recently took over ...

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Oct 10

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Shout out to @dericwatson who recently took over the position of Social Media Manager for TK. D’Eric has been with us for over 5 years. It has been awesome to watch him grow both in and out of the company. At TK he has held many roles at our Alverser location - Server, Bartender and Private Dining Coordinator. After obtaining a degree in mass communications at @vcu, he works full time @martinagency. D’Eric is a busy man. So glad to have him on our team. #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

While Covid-19 has changed our business in many ...

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Aug 31

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While Covid-19 has changed our business in many ways, it does not take away the pride we feel in celebrating our incredible employees . This summer our Alverser location celebrated 5 years! Everything we have accomplished is due to their hard work. Of the 37 employees, 15 have been with us for over 3 years which is remarkable in our industry. Join us in thanking these awesome people.

7 years - @watkinsrussell83
5 years - @mrsbello86 (returned), @tianaclarkee, @lord_dingus, Nelson Rivas, @walter_robles1980, @dericwatson
4 years - @barrarphilip, Teimorr Amaatoq, @1brownalex, @cecy4950, @branndyjeann
3 years - @dnice1018, @calebsandridge, @lizzzard21
2 years - @doriwankenobi, @rva_andrea, @emmanuego, @syddvanhorn, @vuggie55, @brynnantzak, Colton Willis
1+ year - @chelsdoll09, Isabella Benton, @blochmw, @maddieraeclune

#TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

Shoutout to @benjamin.j.berry who has been ...

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Aug 29

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Shoutout to @benjamin.j.berry who has been creating delicious craft cocktails at our Trenholm Plaza location for over 5 years! When he is not behind the bar on Wednesday and Saturday nights, he is spending time with his lovely wife and son, serving as full time band director at White Knoll High School, cycling or working on house projects. So proud to have him on our team. #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily

📸: @nicoleeereed

Shout out to our new Bar Lead, Jake Cooper! Jake ...

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Aug 13

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Shout out to our new Bar Lead, Jake Cooper! Jake will be crafting delicious new cocktails at our Trenholm Plaza location. We’re grateful to have him and his passionate energy on our team. Great job, Jake! #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily #SC #TrenholmPlaza

Congratulations are in order for our newest ...

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Aug 6

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Congratulations are in order for our newest Kitchen Manager, Matt Fritts! Matt will be leading the kitchen at our Scott’s Addition location and we’re so thankful to have him and his great spirit on our team. Way to go, Matt! #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily #ScottsAddition #RVA

We can’t say it enough, THANK YOU. To our ...

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Jun 8

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We can’t say it enough, THANK YOU. To our customers, friends, family and staff: your generosity has sustained us through difficult times. We can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to see so many familiar faces in our restaurants and on our patios again. ❤️ #TazzaKitchen #TazzaFamily #ThankYou

The past week has been heart wrenching, and we ...

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Mar 17

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The past week has been heart wrenching, and we wish we could do so much more. We're beyond thankful for every member of our #TazzaFamily and for your support through all of this.

We're running limited crews and menus at all of our restaurants and will continue providing curbside takeout and drive-thru pick-ups as long as we possibly can. Order online at tazzakitchen.com.

#AlverserTeam #Together #TazzaKitchen #COVID19 #FlattenTheCurve

Friday night in Scott’s Addition. Love this ...

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Mar 6

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Friday night in Scott’s Addition. Love this team! Please wish our #TazzaFamily a Happy #NationalEmployeeAppreciationDay. #TazzaKitchen #RVA #ScottsAddition