Noja Profile

Chakli Diggs

 

Chakli is best known to Mobile food lovers as the founder of the popular Bienville Bistro. When this innovative restaurant opened in 1992, it was a pioneer on the downtown scene and soon sparked a renaissance in fine dining in the area. The Bienville Bistro, with its sleek, continental flair, was an instant hit with diners across the Gulf Coast and was lauded with rave reviews in local and regional publications. The restaurant closed in 1998 when Chakli returned to his career in resort and restaurant management. Born in Ethiopia and educated in the U.S., Chakli is fluent in several languages and has traveled the world – always sampling and learning about food. His career has included hotel and restaurant management positions throughout the U.S. and Europe. With his new venture, NoJa, Chakli has distilled his world experience into a restaurant and melds influences from around the globe and across the Gulf Coast.



 

The Culinary Cast:

MICHAEL FIELDS

Line chef
Since 10/02/2005

ALEX PERRY

Restaurant Executive Chef
Since2/26/2006

KEVIN POWELL

Grill and sauté chef
Since10/9/2006

JONATHAN BOUIE

Food prep and desserts
Since3/22/2009

ELIZABETH SON

Steward
Since4/14/2010

The Service Cast:

MARK RADOSLOVICH

Since 9/10/2005

JAMES BOLGER

Since 9/14/2005

STEVEN VARNES

Since 9/14/2006

LANIE UNGER

Since 4/14/2007

KUMI OMORI

Since 10/15/2008

KELLY FILLINGIM

Since 2/25/2010