the team
the owners
Matt Chasseur
Chef / OwnerFirst and foremost a father to three of the coolest kids!
A husband to a beautiful, compassionate and courageous wife!
A son to two inspiring parents!
A brother to two New England country boys.
A loyal friend to those I grew closely to in this journey called life!
A journeyman of The Culinary Arts.
A lover of delicious food, wine and cocktails.
An Acherer
A Fisherman
A workout enthusiast
An avid Outdoormans
A believer that legacy is guiding your proteges to far surpass your abilities.
A glutton for hard work and discipline
A man loyal to his faith
Lastly, I am extremely focused on striving to be better. Don’t ever let that fool you, I genuinely love to laugh. If you're visiting Tiki Bird don’t be afraid to say hello!
Keep it real!
Hospitality isn't just a career for Matt and I, it’s how we’ve built our life here in the Valley. Opening Pêche was a beautiful whirlwind: equal parts challenging, stressful, and beautiful; and it solidified our decision to make our home and raise our three children in this incredible community and paved the way for our next venture, Tiki Bird.
About a year ago, Matt and I started talking about a second concept. At the time, it felt like a distant "someday" project, but after months of designing, testing, and executing, it’s no longer a dream, it’s very, very real.
What a ride it’s been getting here. We are endlessly grateful to the leadership team joining us on this new adventure; without Brie, Victoria, Cody, Jacob and Robert, this dream would still be just that. Their focus, creativity, and hustle are the reasons we’re standing here today.
Get ready, Grand Junction! We can’t wait to welcome you!
Ashley Fees Chasseur
Ownerthe managers
Cody
Kitchen Manager
The idea of hands-on is something that has always captivated me, from a young child, to who I am today. The equal feeling of complete control, while being thrown into the chaos of the unknown is what is able to show the art and beauty of what makes hand-made. I have always been the first to try to get my hands on a new project or task, looking to learn something new that I am able to physically work with.
My interests in cooking has always been lingering throughout my childhood, but that spark wasn't really lit until my time at Peche restaurant. I started as a dishwasher, a broke college kid just needing some money, little did I know, that one choice will have set my life in a direction I could of never even imagined. Discipline, sense of urgency, and a pure love for the craft is what I have been able to learn in those doors, and is something I will hold true to everything in life itself.
No matter the pressure, the push, the challenge, I will always give it everything I have with the truest smile going ear to ear.
Victoria
FOH Manager
Hello, my name is Victoria Higuera. My family is from Palisade, Colorado, and my story begins in the kitchen alongside my grandmother. She owned her own catering business, and it was there that my love for food service first took root.
Those early experiences shaped not only my passion for hospitality, but the way I connect with people through food, atmosphere, and meaningful moments.
Being part of Tiki Bird in its earliest days has meant more to me than I can fully put into words. Getting to stand beside Matt and Ashley as they bring their dream to life has been an honor, and something I carry with a lot of pride.
At Tiki Bird, what I care most about is creating an atmosphere that stays with people long after they leave, one that feels genuinely welcoming, full of life, and a place where you can truly relax and enjoy the moment. Because to me, it’s not just about what we serve, it’s about how you feel while you’re here and the memories you take with you when you go.
Robert
Bar Manager
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been defined by one word: workhorse. It wasn’t a title I chose, but one that formed around me — first through my mother’s blind eye to what should’ve counted as child labor, and later through the endless Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace highlight reels that became my model for who I wanted to be.
Some people chase glory. I chased responsibility. I resonated with the “Rodman Mentality” long before I could comprehend it: the belief that greatness isn’t always loud, flashy, or celebrated. Sometimes it’s built in the shadows — in the hustle, in the intensity, in the refusal to be anything less than indisputable at the things that matter most. Grit over Glamor.
Behind the scenes, this project has been a true labor of love. What you’ll experience in the space is only a small glimpse of the time, energy, and intention that has gone into building it. There have been countless hours of research and development—tasting, testing, adjusting, and refining every detail. Along the way, we’ve pushed ourselves to learn new skills, discovering strengths we didn’t even know we had, all in the pursuit of creating something thoughtful and memorable.
Of course, it hasn’t all been glamorous. There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes work—endless paperwork, logistics, problem-solving, and learning how to navigate the unknown. There have been long days, early mornings, and late nights spent figuring things out as we go. And yes, more than a few moments of lifting heavy things through very small spaces (a special thank you to the chefs for that one).
But in between the challenges, there have been just as many moments of laughter, creativity, and genuine excitement. We’ve shared incredible meals, crafted cocktails we’re truly proud of, and built something together that we can’t wait to bring to life for our community.
Building something from the ground up is not easy—it takes patience, trust, and a lot of hard work. But it’s also incredibly rewarding, and we know it will all be worth it when we get to share it with you.
These are just a few of the faces behind the project, but this has been, and always will be, a team effort.
join the team
Interested in joining the Tiki Bird team?
We’re looking for self-motivated individuals who take pride in their craft and are passionate about creating memorable experiences—whether that’s through thoughtful hospitality, well-executed cocktails, or genuinely great food.
Our team is built on curiosity, collaboration, and a shared drive to keep learning and improving. We value people who show up with intention, support those around them, and take ownership of their role within the space.
If you’re excited by the idea of being part of something growing from the ground up, we’d love to hear from you.
tikibirdrestaurant@gmail.com