From left, 2022 Georgia Grown Chefs Jessica Rothacker, Alex Friedman, Jamie Adams and Peter Vossenberg (Claudia Martinez, not shown) with Georgia Grown Executive Chef Holly Chute, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Marty Kemp, and GRA President & CEO Karen Bremer.In February, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Georgia Restaurant Association, named its latest crop of Georgia Grown Executive Chefs. The announcement was made at the Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception in February by Commissioner Gary W. Black and GRA President & CEO Karen Bremer.
The 2022 Executive Chefs are:
Chef Jamie Adams
Atlanta-born chef Jamie Adams is the co-owner and chef for il Giallo Osteria & Bar in Sandy Springs. He recently opened up the New Orleans-inspired Lagarde in Chamblee with plans for a second location to open in Milton later this year. He also operates G’s Pizza, a speakeasy pizzeria nestled in the back corner of il Giallo. He’s been a featured chef at The James Beard House in New York, competed on The Food Network’s show Chopped, been featured on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and named one of the Great Chefs of the South.
Chef Alex Friedman
Alex Friedman has served as chef at many restaurants around town, including bartaco and Anis Bistro in Atlanta, Bistro Off Broad in Winder, and at his restaurant P’cheen in the Old Fourth Ward, which operated from 2005-2013. He is now the chef for Summit Chase County Club in Snellville, where he is developing a fresh menu for its new dining concept.
Chef Claudia Martinez
Claudia is Executive Pastry Chef at Miller Union in Atlanta. She was previously pastry chef at Tiny Lou’s at the Hotel Clermont in Atlanta, and prior to that spent time in the kitchens of Atlas Restaurant, Umi and Restaurant Eugene. Eater named her a Young Gun in 2019, and she has been named a James Beard Award Semifinalist in both 2020 and 2022. In 2020, she was runner-up on The Food Network’s show Chopped Sweets.
Chef Jessica Rothacker
Jessica Rothacker is chef and co-owner of Heirloom Café & Fresh Market, which she has operated in Athens since 2011. The restaurant partners with local producers, artisans and farmers to create its menu. Rothacker is a board member for the Georgia Restaurant Association and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s Atlanta Chapter.
Chef Peter Vossenberg
As a culinary instructor at Helms College in Augusta, Peter Vossenberg provides the technical skills and knowledge to thousands of students, who have gone on to successful careers in food service. A Navy veteran, he serves as executive chef at Edgar’s Grill, where Helms College students receive experiential learning opportunities as part of their studies. He received the Southeastern Chef Educator of the Year award by the American Culinary Federation in 2018.
The Georgia Grown Executive Chef program is a statewide program designed to promote and foster relationships between chefs and farmers while spreading awareness about the quality of locally sourced and grown products in Georgia’s restaurant scene.
“We’re honored that these phenomenal chefs, many of whom are also small business owners, have accepted the distinction of wearing a Georgia Grown chef’s coat,” says Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black. “This program is one of the many ways our relationship with the Georgia Restaurant Association has helped our team support our growers and producers.”
“Year after year, we are thrilled by the passion and skills each new class Georgia Grown Executive Chefs brings to the table,” said GRA President and CEO Karen Bremer. “The five chefs chosen for the 2022 program possess a strong desire to promote the use of local, seasonal food on their menus and are passionate about strengthening their relationships with Georgia suppliers. We are proud to have this group of chefs represent Georgia’s culinary scene and champion the Georgia Grown program.”
In its 10th year, the Georgia Grown Executive Chef program continues to strengthen awareness of Georgia Grown products around the state, while acknowledging a diverse group of culinary professionals who prioritize Georgia Grown in their restaurants, schools and communities. For more about the program and past chefs, visit garestaurants.org/georgia-grown-executive-chef-program.
