02: Feeding the Heart of Buford Highway

Carlo Gan, Kamayan ATL

When Carlo and his wife Mia opened Kamayan ATL, they weren’t just bringing Filipino food to Atlanta. They were creating a space where culture, memory, and community could gather around one table.

In this episode of Voices of a Highway, Carlo shares how a craving for home-cooked meals grew into a Michelin-recognized restaurant. From hosting family-style feasts to providing meals for local nonprofits, Kamayan’s story embodies what Buford Highway is all about: resilience, generosity, and the power of food to make people feel at home — no matter where they come from.

“Food is our medium to educate people. We’re not just chef-owners of a restaurant. We are advocates.”