As the daughter of a refugee from Budapest-turned Army Officer and West Point Professor, Owner and Chef, Christa Csoka’s love for entertaining and passion for food began when she was a child, helping her mother host dinners and events as well as working at the West Point Officers Club which served Officers, Cadets, Senators and even the VP of the United States.

She graduated top of her class from the French Culinary Institute and worked as a Chef at French restaurants in NYC and Chicago (to include Daniel, Tru and the Pump Room) as well as working in Austin, TX and Charlotte. Christa has over 30 years’ combined experience in the service industry both front and back of house. Her mentors were Master Chefs such as Jacques Pepin, Daniel Boulud, Jacques Torres, Alain Sailhac, Andre Soltner and more. Alongside her work with these Master Chefs, Chef Christa has lived and visited many cities all over the world, all of which combined has given her a diverse culinary perspective and palate.

In 2004, Christa moved to Charlotte to be closer to family and although she was not immediately immersed in the culinary world of Charlotte, she kept her love of cooking alive by catering on weekends and special events as well as hosting many themed parties and charity events over the years. This would launch the idea of the Artisan’s Palate. The inclusion of art as part of a whole experience was always her passion and she envisioned a space in which food, drinks, music and art co-existed in harmony – and that is how The Artisan’s Palate came to be.

A dedicated foodie and wine enthusiast, Chef Christa is always in search of inspiring new culinary experiences and at the Artisan’s Palate, she uses modern influences and traditional techniques, with an emphasis on fresh, local and organic ingredients that speak to the hearts and souls of the Charlotte community.