Our Team

A native South Carolinian, John “JD” Duncan has been surrounded by food and hospitality his whole life and has spent his career with renowned restaurant groups like Houstons in Nashville and Buckhead Life Group in Atlanta, honing his skills performing in all aspects of the restaurant business from front of house to developing cocktails. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, he took over an old church with his dad, Jack, which would become Bonterra in 1999. Today, the restaurant is still proud to be on the cutting edge of Charlotte’s culinary scene and providing an elevated dining experience to both regular guests and visitors to the Queen City, alike.

Blake Hartwick brings a new take on Southern Cuisine and love of fresh local flavors to Bonterra.    Blake has an  extensive culinary background  that includes several restaurants in Charlotte since moving here in 1993.  He was with Bistro 100, Carpe Diem and Sonoma, where he served as their sous chef.  In 2000 he joined Bonterra as executive chef.  In 2005 John Duncan opened Ratcliffe on the Green where Blake served as their executive chef.  Blake also has a few highlights along the way.  He spent time in Spain between 2004 and 2006 working at the prestigious Casino de Madrid and NoDo.  He also served as the Chef de Cuisine at the world renowned Four Star, Four Diamond Greenbrier Resort.  In 2012, he and a team of chefs traveled to the James Beard House featuring a “Taste of Charlotte” menu. Chef Hartwick was recently invited to attend the James Beard Celebrity Chef Dinner in Palisades Virginia in April 2104.