Aria Dorsey Folk Restaurant Nashville TN

Aria Dorsey

Founder & CEO

Aria has dedicated her entire career to the food and beverage industry, starting with her first job as a barista and cashier at Greene Grape Provisions in Brooklyn, where she quickly rose to Assistant Manager—though even she isn’t sure how she earned that promotion at just 16. Inspired by Lorelai Gilmore (yes, a nod to Gilmore Girls), she pursued her passion at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

After earning her BA in hospitality, Aria launched her career with Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group in NYC. She started as an Assistant General Manager and quickly advanced to General Manager, eventually leading the opening of DBGB in Washington, DC, while supporting openings and operations across the company.

After seven years with The Dinex Group, Aria moved to Nashville, TN, to oversee operations at Rolf & Daughters and lead the opening of Folk—accolades including Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants and Wine Enthusiast’s Best Wine Restaurants of 2019. As Director of Operations and Wine, she played a pivotal role in navigating the pandemic, seamlessly transitioning both restaurants from full-service dining to takeout within 24 hours. Through swift implementation of online ordering, car-side delivery, and delivery apps, she ensured both establishments remained open and successful.

With a sharp eye for service, Aria prioritizes detail, consistency, and the power of strong training programs. In 2021, she founded Corner Booth Hospitality, expanding her expertise to projects with Six Senses, Belmond, and Four Seasons, as well as independent restaurants like Bad Idea and Café Mars.

Illustration by Molly Bloom for Corner Booth Hospitality
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