04/08/2026
We’re so unbelievably lucky and grateful to have Clay’s dedication, care and love for 20 years.
He’s is the engine for our entire day to day.
The belly. The hearth.
We are so proud of you .hoss and we’re deeply thankful for all your years of hard work and beautiful food.
At Helen’s, Clay Hostetler has stayed for 20.
In an industry known for brief, combustible affairs, his tenure looks less like a fling and more like a marriage. The youthfully sculpted, generously tattooed 42-year-old has cooked at the Fan bistro for two decades. Before joining Helen’s, Hostetler worked at Amberjack Landing in Ashland, starting as a dishwasher at age 14. Over four years, he learned every station in the kitchen before the restaurant shuttered.
Happily Ever After
Chef Clay Hostetler celebrates his 20th anniversary behind the stove at Helen’s
At Helen’s, Clay Hostetler has stayed for 20.
In an industry known for brief, combustible affairs, his tenure looks less like a fling and more like a marriage. The youthfully sculpted, generously tattooed 42-year-old has cooked at the Fan bistro for two decades. Before joining Helen’s, Hostetler worked at Amberjack Landing in Ashland, starting as a dishwasher at age 14. Over four years, he learned every station in the kitchen before the restaurant shuttered.
Hostetler, who grew up in Hanover County, credits his family’s cooking, especially his mother’s, for sparking his passion for the line. A voracious reader, he supplemented hands-on training with restless culinary curiosity.”
“Clay is extremely caring about his co-workers,” Tuite says. “He’s often my go-to when I need a pep talk. He’s been a joy to watch grow into a thoughtful human being, to become a thoughtful chef. He puts love into his food and gets excited over new dishes, especially provincial and comforting ones.”
Check out the entire article published for April 2026 by and photos by Justin Chesney
