Barnsley Resort in Adairsville has announced the appointment of Shaun Doty as Executive Chef for its new Southern-inspired restaurant, Jules. The restaurant will debut in late summer with a menu that draws inspiration from Southern traditions, Japanese cooking styles and European refinement. The dinner-only establishment represents the 3000-acre resort’s greatest culinary statement yet, adding to Woodlands, a restaurant overlooking the resort golf course, and the recently constructed Biergarten within the resort village.
The restaurant interior was designed by Charleston’s David Thompson Studio and inspired by the original estate owner’s daughter, Julia Barnsley. Originally built in 1854 as a private farmhouse in Rome, Ga., the building was relocated in 1994 to Barnsley Resort and given a second life as the Rice House restaurant with the addition of a commercial kitchen. Now in its third chapter, Jules has been completely renovated by Rome-based HDA Architects.
Chef Doty will join the culinary team for appearances and events, while working closely with Jules’ chef de cuisine, David Doyle, who will oversee day-to-day culinary operations to execute Doty’s vision.
The menu is an homage to the ingredients of the region, many sourced from the resort’s farm, local gardens and nearby Georgia purveyors. Dishes will rotate with the seasons, with a focus on sustainability and adapting to availability. Furthering the focus on sustainability, Doty plans to launch a fermentation program, explore composting, and transition to menus printed on recycled paper and sustainable materials, all part of his mission to achieve a coveted Michelin Green Star.
With a career spanning three decades in the kitchen, Chef Doty brings a global pedigree and personal connection to the South. Best known for his work at Atlanta’s The Federal, which earned the esteemed title of James Beard nominee for Best New Restaurant, Doty has also launched and led several popular Atlanta establishments, including Shaun’s, Yeah Burger and Bantam & Biddy. Doty’s early days are rooted in the former Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead under the legendary Chef Guenter Seeger and time spent expanding his skill set abroad at Michelin-starred restaurants across France and Belgium.
The renaissance of Jules is made possible by the resort’s ownership group, South Street Partners, who have embarked on an ambitious renovation plan for the 140-room resort property, starting with the just-completed remodel of the 39 free-standing cottages and 85 guest rooms and suites by Charlotte Lucas Design, a Charlotte-based firm.
