March 30, 2010 at the Cobb Galleria.  For more information, call 770.774.8300

The Georgia Restaurant Association announced that GRA General Counsel Charles Hoff has been appointed interim CEO to lead the transition as Ron Wolf, Founding Executive Director & CEO, retires. Wolf’s intent to retire from the GRA was announced over a year ago to the Board of Directors.

“As an accomplished leader in the Foodservice and Hospitality industries and the first Executive Director and CEO of the GRA, Ron has been vital to the inception and growth of the GRA. Ron was instrumental in establishing and growing the GRA to ensure that Georgia’s restaurant industry has an effective voice in the community and at the Capitol,” said Kat Cole, Chair of the GRA Board and Executive for Atlanta based Hooters of America, Inc. “Ron has laid a strong foundation for the GRA, and we honor Ron’s legacy and support of our great industry.”

Wolf will continue to be a foodservice industry advocate.  “The decision to retire as Founder and CEO of the GRA was not an easy one to make.  After nearly seven years at the helm, I realized that there were new chapters in my life I still wanted to write.  I owe a debt of gratitude to the industry for giving me the opportunity, and having the confidence in me, to guide the GRA through its infancy to become the recognized industry leader it is today.   Rest assured, I will continue to be a dedicated supporter of the GRA as it continues to chart its course,” said Wolf.

The GRA is following the National Restaurant Association’s precedent of hiring its General Counsel to serve as the CEO during the transition until a new CEO is hired.  Hoff, the GRA’s General Counsel, will serve as interim CEO and oversee day to day operations until a new CEO is hired.  He is a tenured member of the GRA’s Executive Committee and served as General Counsel since the establishment of the GRA. Hoff, winner of the Industry Partner of the Year GRACE Award, is the longest serving member of the GRA Board of Directors.

“Charles has been involved in GRA services and initiatives from the beginning and is the right person to manage the operations in a seamless fashion while we continue to focus on exciting initiatives and grow value for our members,” said Cole. “On behalf of the leadership, we thank our members for their support of the GRA as we continue to serve our mission.”

March 27, 2010 at The World Trade Center Atlanta.  For more information, contact Sandra Centeno at 678-542-5757.

March 25–27, 2010 at Atlantic Station in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.atlanta-wineauction.org

The Oxford American magazine will celebrate the publication of its 2010 Southern Food issue in Atlanta with three events on Friday, March 26, in conjunction with the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction.

“We are pleased to contribute our unique presentation of literary and culinary culture to the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction,” said Warwick Sabin, publisher of The Oxford American.  “Our events in Atlanta offer the opportunity to appreciate the best Southern food and writing in a city that can justifiably call itself the capital of the South.

The new Southern Food issue is guest edited by The Oxford American’s food columnist, John T. Edge, who also is the director of the Southern Foodways Alliance.  Edge is a recent James Beard Award winner and a columnist for The New York Times.

The first Oxford American event on Friday, March 26, is a luncheon and seminar about its 2010 Southern Food issue featuring a panel discussion titled, “Proper Pairings: New Southern Cuisine and Southern Wine Culture,” moderated by John Kessler of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  One Flew South and Rolling Bones Chefs Todd Richards and Duane Nutter, and Spice Chef Darryl Evans, (all of whom were profiled by Kessler in the magazine), will participate.  The musician Caroline Herring will play during lunch, and the wine tasting will be conducted by Palmaz Vineyards.  The event will take place at The Cook’s Warehouse (15444 Piedmont Rd, Suite 403-R) at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $100.  For reservations, e-mail reservations@atlanta-wineauction.org or call (404) 733-4543.

That evening, The Oxford American will host a special dinner at Dogwood restaurant (565 Peachtree St.), with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and seating at 7 p.m.  The food will be prepared by Chefs Shane Touhy and Scott Black, and the wine will be provided by Tuck Beckstoffer.  Pulitzer Prize-winner Natasha Trethewey will read her poetry, and OA writers and other special guests also will participate.  Tickets for the dinner are strictly limited, and the suggested tax-deductible donation to attend is $500 per person.  All proceeds will benefit The Oxford American, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization.

After the dinner, The Oxford American will host the Wine Auction’s Friday Night After-Party, also at Dogwood, beginning at 9:30 p.m.  Admission to this event is free and open to the public.

Details about all of these events are available on a dedicated Web site at: food.oxfordamerican.org.

March 19–28, 2010 in Macon, Georgia.  For more information, visit www.cherryblossom.com

March 15, 2010 at The Standard Club in Duluth.  For more information, visit ACF Atlanta.

March 11, 2010 in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.strength.org/bakingcontest