Aug 4, 2025 - Food and Drink

"Chopped" chef opens pasta stall in Charlotte's Optimist Hall

McKenzie Rankin

Two chefs in white shirts and aprons smile behind a wooden counter with pasta dishes, cheese, and drinks. Kitchen with yellow tiles and stainless steel equipment in background. — Husband-and-wife duo AJ Sankofa and Kristina Gambarian are the founders and owners of ESO Artisinal Pasta. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

A new Italian food stall called ESO Artisanal Pasta will open at Optimist Hall Friday, Aug. 8.

Why it matters: Charlotte native AJ Sankofa and his wife, Kristina Gambarian, are bringing their pandemic-born pasta business — and their national TV cooking cred — back to Sankofa's hometown.

Context: The couple started ESO as a delivery business during the pandemic.

Their handmade pasta and sauces got so popular that they were able to open a storefront in New Jersey in 2021.
Sankofa, who grew up in Charlotte, has also appeared on Food Network's "Chopped" and "The Great Food Truck Race."
In 2023, they closed their New Jersey storefront to open a fast-casual concept inside Optimist Hall.

What they're saying: "Opening a spot where we could serve authentic Italian food has always been the dream," says Gambarian.

What to expect: ESO will serve a concise menu of pasta dishes and sides, like fried risotto balls, Italian meatballs and Sicilian fried chicken.

All of the cheeses, meats, flour, and even the salt used in their dishes are imported from Italy.
The stall also has a Chef's Counter for reservation-only tasting menus. Those are expected to launch in the next six to eight months, says Gambarian.
There's also a "fish bowl" window, where passersby and diners alike can watch the kitchen make pastas, desserts and shred huge blocks of cheese.
Pastas come in two sizes: small ($9) and large ($15).

We tried sample portions of ESO's menu at a media preview ahead of its Friday opening. Here are several of the dishes to expect.

An assortment of Italian meats and cheeses

The spread won't be on the regular menu, says Sankofa, but will be more of a "secret menu" option.

We tried various meats and cheeses, including a 36-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, speck (a smoked Italian ham) and taralli, traditional Italian snack crackers.

Wooden table with six small black plates holding various cheeses, cured meats, and a bowl of round breadsticks, alongside a glass of white wine and a bottle of Aperol Spritz. — An assortment of Italian meats and cheeses, including 36-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Paccheri Pomodoro

The paccheri pasta sauce is called pomodoro classico. It's made with 12 onions, five pounds of tomato, fresh basil, garlic confit and finished with olive oil.