Two chefs preparing food in a restaurant kitchen visible from the dining area, with tables set and candles lit. Ovenbird in Birmingham, Alabama.
OVENBIRD logo
Michelin Bib Gourmand logo with a red background, a smiling face, and white text.

Caleb’s collaboration with Chef Chris and Idie Hastings continued from Hot and Hot Fish Club to their second restaurant, OvenBird.

Located in Birmingham’s Pepper Place, OvenBird explores live-fire cooking through a Spanish-inspired menu that celebrates tradition, culture, and flame. Caleb photographs for the restaurant several times a year, capturing its energy, craftsmanship, and evolving culinary story. Chef de Cuisine Ramon Gonzales leads the kitchen with creativity and skill. A native of Lima, Peru, Ramon grew up learning the intricacies of his family’s catering business before finding his way into professional kitchens in Alabama. His background and passion for live-fire cooking bring depth and authenticity to OvenBird’s Spanish-inspired menu.

Chef Ramon Gonzales wearing a white chef coat, and a gray apron, standing in a dimly lit kitchen with warm lighting, holding onto a wooden chair. Ovenbird in Birmingham, Alabama.
A rustic wooden sign with the words 'LOVE SHARE' in metal letters, surrounded by green vines and foliage, with the year 2015 inscribed on it. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Inside a lively restaurant with warm lighting, wooden ceiling beams, and large windows, where customers are dining and socializing. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A long wooden dining table set for a meal with plates, napkins, glasses of water, and small candles, in a cozy restaurant with windows covered by orange blinds, wooden walls, and patterned carpet. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Close-up of freshly baked baguettes with a golden-brown crust, some dusted with flour. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A black cast iron skillet hanging on a hook, mounted on a brick wall alongside other tools. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A male chef with glasses and a beard holds a wooden chair in a kitchen with warm lighting and shelves of jars and bottles behind him. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A close-up of a skillet with a serving of cheesy baked dish topped with fresh arugula and greens. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plated fish dish with peas, white beans, and cherry tomatoes on a marble table, alongside a tall glass of pink beverage garnished with a rolled cheese straw. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A man holding a split sandwich with visible bacon, greens, and bread, with a blurred background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Roasted carrots garnished with herbs and crushed nuts, drizzled with honey or syrup, served on a rectangular ceramic plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A whole fish garnished with herbs and chili flakes, served with lemon slices, and surrounded by green leafy vegetables and small red peppers in a black cast iron skillet on a white marble surface. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Close-up of a salad with tomato slices, yellow cherry tomatoes, blackberries, fresh herbs, and green dressing on a white plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Poached egg on tomato salad with arugula and balsamic glaze Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A black skillet of cooked vegetable stew topped with fresh arugula on a white marble table. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plate with roasted eggplant topped with burrata cheese, surrounded by arugula leaves and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plated salad with orange slices, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh greens, and mustard seeds, drizzled with a light dressing. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Baked potatoes topped with cheese, chopped herbs, and sauce in a black baking dish Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Seared scallops topped with a mushroom and green onion mixture, served in a yellow sauce on a white plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A square piece of apple crumble topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a white plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A small cast iron skillet filled with brown sugar on a white marble countertop. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A vintage jar opener with a rusty handle on a white marble surface. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A black skillet with what appears to be a spicy sauce at the bottom, with white vapor or smoke rising from it, and a rusted metal rod inserted in the center. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A small skillet with caramelized sugar and a swirl of dark syrup on top, sitting on a white surface. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A glass of sangria containing slices of lime, lemon, and orange with ice cubes. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A glass of a dark cocktail garnished with a lemon slice, placed on a woven placemat with a blurred background of wooden slats. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Close-up of several bird feathers with brown, black, and white patterns, held in a glass jar against a blurred outdoor background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Fire burning logs in a fireplace. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Person placing grapes on a white cheese with olive oil drizzle, seen in close-up. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Close-up of a fresh green salad with sliced pears, walnuts, and shaved cheese on a green plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A small metal pot containing cooked shrimp, a bay leaf, a red chili pepper, and garlic, sitting on a round wooden cutting board with a person's hands framing it. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Chef drizzling olive oil over a plated dish with meat, sauce, some greenery, and a side of vegetables on a white plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A ramekin of caramelized bananas foster with a spoon, placed on a wooden serving board. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A chef inspecting a plated gourmet dish with meat, topped with colorful shredded vegetables, on a white plate in a professional kitchen. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A square piece of vanilla cake with white frosting and a dusting of cinnamon on top, served on a white plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Person sprinkling a topping onto a dessert with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream on a white plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Black and white photo of a man arranging a dinner table outdoors, viewed from inside through open glass doors. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A man preparing drinks at a bar in a restaurant with large windows and greenery outside. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A fish being cooked on a grill, with smoke rising from it. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A glass of orange cocktail with ice and a garnish of red peppers on a wooden table. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A yellow cocktail in a clear glass with a lime wedge garnish and chili powder rim, placed on a wooden surface outdoors. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plate of assorted foods including peach slices, bread croutons, and fresh green herbs, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, placed on a wooden table. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A white plate with a dessert that includes bread pieces, peaches, whipped cream, basil, and chocolate drizzle, on a wooden table outdoors, with a blurred woman holding a drink in the background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plate of food on a wooden table with a hand pouring oil or dressing over the dish, outdoor setting with string lights, trees, and patio furniture in the background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Grilled fish fillet served over vegetables with a garnish of herbs and drizzled with sauce. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plated dish with a grilled piece of fish, roasted onions, and a mixed bean salad, with a glass of white wine in the background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plate with a breaded fried item topped with chopped vegetables and sliced chili peppers, accompanied by a green sauce and a lime wedge, with a glass of a yellow beverage garnished with a lime wedge in the background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingh
Slice of layered chocolate cake with chocolate icing and cream filling, served on a plate with white sauce. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A person handling chopped firewood outdoors, visible hand, and wood pieces stacked on each other. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A male chef dressed in a gray apron and white shirt standing inside a restaurant, holding a corkscrew, engaging with a seated guest at a table. The restaurant has wooden furniture, large windows, and green outdoor scenery visible. Ovenbird Restaurant
A chef prepares food in an open kitchen with brick walls, with tables set for dining in the foreground. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Person grating cheese over a salad at a restaurant Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Person holding a bowl of ceviche topped with sliced onions, cilantro, red chili, and served with sweet potato chips. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A tall glass of orange-colored iced beverage garnished with a star anise spice. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Close-up of grilled lamb chop resting on a chickpea salad with herbs in a white bowl. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plated dish featuring a piece of grilled fish with crispy skin topped with chopped green herbs, served with roasted eggplant slices and crispy bacon on a white plate. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A dish of stir-fried noodles with chicken, garnished with cilantro, along with sauce or mustard drizzle, served outdoors on a stone ledge with greenery in the background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A plate of beet salad garnished with herbs, served outdoors. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A cast iron skillet filled with shrimp in a spicy, dark red sauce, topped with a pecan, placed on a wooden serving board, on a metal outdoor table. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A person is cutting a large Apple Pie with a chef knife on a round wooden board. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A serving of fish cake topped with a potato salad, garnished with sliced red onions, cilantro, and crispy bacon, on a white plate with green sauce drizzled around. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Person holding a slice of bread with melted cheese and toppings, lifting it from a skillet of melted cheese and sauce. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A tall glass mug with a handle containing a dark red beverage, garnished with a star anise, a small piece of pineapple, and a black and white decorative feather, sitting on a wooden table outside. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A close-up of burning wood logs with visible flames in a fire pit or fireplace. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Two chefs in a restaurant kitchen, wearing aprons, working together at a counter with a pizza oven in the background. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Sky with pink and purple clouds during sunset or sunrise. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
Two chefs prepare food behind a counter in a rustic restaurant kitchen, with a woman ordering or waiting in front. Ovenbird Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama.
A fireplace with burning logs and flames, overlaid with a red outline drawing of a four-leaf clover and a heart.

Micheline Bib Gourmand Award

In 2025, Ovenbird was awarded Bib Gourmand Award by the Micheline Guide.

Red background with a white outline drawing of a smiling face with a tongue sticking out, wearing a chef's hat, and the text 'MICHELIN BIB GOURMAND' below.