One of Midtown Atlanta’s most talked-about tasting rooms is quietly changing captains in the kitchen. Chef Aaron Phillips has separated from Lazy Betty, the Michelin-starred, tasting-menu restaurant in Midtown, and the restaurant’s public team page now lists Austin Goetzman as executive chef.
According to The Business Journals, the split surfaced publicly on April 20, 2026, after editors noticed the updated staff listing on the restaurant’s site. The outlet identified the leadership change but did not report any additional details about why the move happened or what led up to it.
Site update quietly confirms a new executive chef
Lazy Betty's About page now lists Lazy Betty with Goetzman in the executive chef role and no longer includes Phillips in the "Our Team" section. For regulars and industry watchers, that public-facing update is currently the clearest sign of the handoff in the kitchen, even as the site continues to spotlight its tasting-menu lineups and upcoming events at the Midtown location.
Goetzman's rise through the ranks
Goetzman has been in the building since the early days. He was part of Lazy Betty’s opening staff and has been credited in coverage and event listings as a key member of the kitchen, working in both sous-chef and chef-de-cuisine positions. Industry reporting from outlets including FSR and local listings track his progression through the restaurant’s hierarchy.
Why this chef swap matters
Lazy Betty sits in rarefied local company as one of Atlanta’s Michelin-recognized dining rooms, and changes at the top in that world tend to draw close attention from diners, critics and hospitality pros. The Michelin Guide lists Lazy Betty as a one-star restaurant, and many will be watching to see whether the tone or technical polish of the tasting menu shifts under Goetzman’s leadership.
What the restaurant is saying so far
As of April 20, 2026, the restaurant’s press materials have not addressed the change directly. The press page on Lazy Betty features recent coverage but contains no formal announcement about Phillips’ separation or Goetzman’s promotion. This story will be updated if an official statement is released.
