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Michael HannaPhoto: Daniel Meigs
Youâve likely read countless âpandemic pivotâ stories over the past year â about recently unemployed people whoâve carved out a new path, trying to turn the moldy, desiccated lemon of the COVID-19 era into something at least resembling lemonade. What chef Michael Hanna has accomplished since the virus ground the restaurant industry to a near halt last year might be better described as a pandemic pole vault.
Hanna moved to Nashville from his native Memphis about six years ago, and â before COVID-19 hit town, anyway â heâd had a good run, including stints at The Catbird Seat (under Ryan Poli), Urban Cowboyâs Public House and Philip Krajeckâs two restaurants, Rolf and Daughters, and Folk. His most recent gig was at Pastaria, but as pandemic restrictions strangled the restaurant industry, Hanna â like throngs of his fellow hospitality workers â was laid off. Suddenly out of work and facing grim employment prospects, he started plotting his next move.