From Pain to Passion to Purpose: Tiny Lou’s Chef Charmain’s unlikely path to the world of pastry
From life as a military brat to leaving home at 16 to work night clubs in Atlanta, Chef Charmain Ware’s path to the world of pastry has been anything but linear. In fact, it was a car crash over a 30-foot embankment that left Ware bedridden that began an unexpected chapter.
Immobile, isolated and what she recounts as one of the darkest moments of her life, Chef Charmain’s story of recovery included daily streaming of The Food Network which unbeknownst to her, would ignite a passion that continues to this day.
After a quick trip to Michael’s to purchase every baking tool Ware could identify as “necessary” to learning this new craft, she applied to a culinary program grant with 180° Kitchen after the prompting of a friend. An hour later a call and an awarded grant would soon expose her to a line up of some of the most prestigious instructors in the industry.
The years that followed included opportunities with Cirque du Soleil - TOTEM, Restaurant 356 and the Brasserie and Neighborhood Café at Parish. These years of hard work shaped her, tested her limits, and placed her in the same kitchen as respected and experienced Executive Chefs and Pastry Chefs that left little room for anything but excellence. In what felt like a whirlwind season with a promising trajectory, the momentum all came to a pause in 2020, when the rest of the world would be put on hold too.
Like layers of an onion being peeled back in different seasons, this moment in time would force Chef Charmain to slow down and address trauma that she had carried her whole life. She tells the story of a cold evening with a full moon when she decided to make a list of the things she hoped would come into her life and also a list of things she hoped would be taken away. Like a scene out of a screenplay, Oliver Hospitality and Tiny Lou’s would soon enter the picture.
In January 2021, Chef Charmain debuted as Tiny Lou’s new Executive Pastry Chef, alongside Executive Chef Jon Novak. This magical duo and Black Chef lead kitchen has been one of the proudest accomplishments in Ware’s career to date. Chef Charmain’s passion for her craft and gratitude for having found a supportive team culture at Tiny Lou’s, has allowed her to flourish in a short span of time.
Chef Charmain unabashedly admits to putting bits of herself into every menu item she and her team create. Her expectation of herself and her team to achieve greatness and level up with each new menu launch is paired with a battle cry rooted in love, empathy and compassion for those around her.
Simply put, living out her passion saved her life.
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Tiny Lou’s is a swinging French-American brasserie located downstairs at Hotel Clermont. Presenting a palate-pleasing approach to French favorites, Tiny Lou's uses seasonal and local provisions that are complemented by a French-focused wine list.
To view our seasonal dinner and dessert menu, click here.
Follow Chef Charmain and Tiny Lou’s on Instagram: @chefcharmain @tinylousatl
