Josh Habiger is a chef, co-owner, and partner at Strategic Hospitality in Nashville, where he has played a central role in shaping the city’s modern dining scene.
Habiger began his tenure with Strategic Hospitality in 2009, contributing to the opening of The Patterson House. In 2011, he co-founded and served as opening co-chef of The Catbird Seat, earning national recognition as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2012 and an All-Star in 2013. During his time there, the restaurant was named one of Bon Appétit’s Hot 10: Best New Restaurants in America and included among GQ’s Best New Restaurants.
In 2013, Habiger became Culinary Director for Strategic Hospitality, where he developed concepts across the group, including the opening menu for Pinewood Social, which received a nomination for Best New Restaurant from the James Beard Foundation.
In 2016, Habiger partnered with Strategic Hospitality to open Bastion in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood of Nashville. The restaurant includes both a bar and a 24-seat dining room offering a multi-course tasting menu. Bastion was recognized as a Best New Restaurant by Southern Living, Eater, and the James Beard Foundation.
In 2025, Bastion was awarded one MICHELIN star following the guide’s expansion into the American South. Habiger has also been recognized by the James Beard Foundation as a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast from 2018 through 2020, and as a finalist in 2023.
He became a partner in Strategic Hospitality in 2023 and continues to serve as chef and co-owner of Bastion while contributing to the group’s broader culinary direction.
