Hattie Moseley Austin

Hattie Moseley Austin (April 23, 1998 ) was an American chef and restaurateur. She was the founder-owner-chef of Hattie's Chicken Shack in Saratoga Springs, New York. Early life and personal background Hattie Moseley Austin, born Hattie Gray around 1900 in Saint Francisville, Louisiana, lost her mother Lydia during childbirth. Raised by her father, Harry, she received additional support from Hattie Leopold, the wife of a local rabbi who had employed Lydia. In honor of her, Hattie was named after Mrs. Leopold.

She later moved to New Orleans for school and then to Chicago, where she worked as a cook for A.E. Staley, founder of the Staley corn processing company. The Staleys maintained homes in Chicago, Miami, and Saratoga Springs, and Hattie traveled with them between cities. This experience exposed her to various social environments and helped shape the inclusive, welcoming spirit that would define her future restaurant.

Her Southern upbringing influenced her cooking style, especially her iconic fried chicken, which became a symbol of her culinary legacy.