D. Christian Watson is Executive Chef and Operating Partner of the Waverly Local restaurant in the small town of Waverly, and the Plaza Bar and Lounge in Auburn.  Christian grew up in Auburn where he attended the Auburn City Schools.  After high school, his uncle Bob asked him to work on his farm in South Carolina where Christian’s aunt was ill.  It was there that he discovered his love of food, both growing it and preparing it for the enjoyment of others.  After encouragement from family members to pursue his interest in cooking, Christian moved to Charleston to attend Johnson and Wales culinary school.  While in culinary school, he worked as a cook at two of Charleston’s fine dining restaurants.  After culinary school, he worked as executive chef on yachts that traveled the entire east and west coasts of the United States, and as executive chef at the Pine Creek Sporting Club in Florida.  Later, he became executive chef at Carter’s Kitchen, a fine dining restaurant in Charleston, and the Hound restaurant upon his return to Auburn.  He teamed up with his lifelong friend Andy Anderson to open Waverly Local in 2018.  Among other civic endeavors, Christian is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Food Bank of East Alabama where he serves as chair of the facilities and equipment committee.  He lives in Auburn, is married to Kate Watson, and is the father of Amelia Jean Watson and John Caldwell Watson.

 The Waverly Local is located in the small town of Waverly, AL, a few miles outside Auburn, Opelika, and the cities that border Lake Martin.  The building that houses the restaurant is over 100 years old, and it has served various businesses, including three restaurants in recent years as well as one of the first Ford dealerships in Alabama.  Andy Anderson, a resident of Waverly, purchased the old building with the vision of creating a special place for his town.  He teamed up with Christian Watson, an experienced executive chef and childhood friend, to develop a dining experience with “nostalgic charm, its laid-back vibe and the inspired but unpretentious menu.”  When the restaurant opened in 2018, Andy and Christian were determined to find local sources for much of their produce, and they have been successful in doing so.  Chef Watson describes the food at the Waverly Local as “simple Southern.”  The menu evolves as the culinary team develops newer dishes as well as better versions of the items on the menu.