Philip Byard Wachtel, Jr
Canton, Ga - Philip Wachtel, 73, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025. Born in Coral Gables, FL, he was a graduate of Coral Gables High School 1970. Phil was active in many sports and was a talented pitcher for the Coral Gables High School. After high school, he began working in the restaurant business where he, with one of his best friends, made a plan to move to Cashiers, NC to open the fine dining restaurant Yesterday’s. After his friend decided to go his own way leaving Phil to take on the role of head chef, Phil successfully ran Yesterday’s putting his own mark on the cuisine and distinguishing himself as an excellent chef. He eventually moved to Atlanta where he stayed in the restaurant business working in the field he loved. Being an accomplished chef and wine connoisseur, he was able to transfer what he knew to the positions he held in the Atlanta area. But mostly, he saved those talents for his close family and friends, whom he loved to entertain with his jokes and prepare for them exquisite meals they would enjoy. Phil loved many sports, golf, fishing, baseball and was an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan. He was preceded in death by his father Philip Wachtel, mother Gayle Wachtel and his brother Pete (Diane) Wachtel. He is survived by the love of his life of 36 years, his wife Catharine Wachtel, his son John Brian “Jack” Wachtel, his nephew Adam (Shelly) Wachtel, and Adams’ son’s, Cain and Cooper Wachtel. A memorial is being planned for late January.
