By Aja Arnold and Nancy Wood One of the things that makes the restaurant industry so unique is that anyone can start with zero experience and, through hard work and a willingness to learn, rise through the ranks to the top. That belief is evident with this year’s group of Rising Stars. The program, in its third year, recognizes those in the industry who are going above … [Read more...] about 2019 Rising Stars
Profiles
The Farmer and the Chef
Farm-to-table is not just a catchphrase – it’s the solid foundation on which farmers and chefs forge partnerships to put good food on the table. By Lia Picard The farm-to-table movement has been around for years but remains alluring as ever for diners. As Georgians, we’re lucky to live in a state that can support all kinds of produce. From potatoes in the fall to okra in … [Read more...] about The Farmer and the Chef
2018 GRACE Diversity Leadership Award: Eddie Hernandez
by Candice Dyer Eddie Hernandez is part of a generation of immigrants who landed in the American South, where they explore their culinary roots using locally sourced ingredients. His restaurant, Taqueria del Sol, specializes in playful, flavorful mashups of Mexican food with homegrown fare. His spicy turnip greens, Memphis pork barbecue tacos and weekly blue plate … [Read more...] about 2018 GRACE Diversity Leadership Award: Eddie Hernandez
Hitting the Sweet Spot
Take a look at some of the pastry and dessert trends to keep an eye out for on restaurant menus across Georgia. By Candice Dyer Look on any menu in Georgia and you’ll probably notice there’s been a renaissance with desserts. While chocolate will forever remain tried and true, the segment is going in some different directions. Pastry chefs are stretching past conventions … [Read more...] about Hitting the Sweet Spot
2018 GRACE Restaurateur of the Year: Small/Independent: Federico Castellucci III
By Nancy Wood Federico Castellucci III may have had a fleeting thought of becoming an attorney, but the pull of the family business was too strong to resist. Steeped in tradition with Italian and Greek roots, the Castellucci dynasty has grown exponentially since Federico Castellucci graduated from Cornell University and returned to Atlanta to help his father run the first of … [Read more...] about 2018 GRACE Restaurateur of the Year: Small/Independent: Federico Castellucci III
Gerry Klaskala
For Gerry Klaskala, the kitchen is where art and food collide. In high school, Klaskala was on a path for fine art school when he stumbled upon his true calling while working at a restaurant. “The chef that I worked with, he was into doing ice carvings and buffet work and pulled sugar. ... I said that’s really cool. Can you teach me this stuff?,” Klaskala recalls. “And he … [Read more...] about Gerry Klaskala
Q & A: Zach Meloy
Chef and Co-owner of Better Half By Lia Picard Atlanta native Zachary Meloy became smitten with food and the restaurant world while working in Birmingham as a busboy. Eventually, he and his wife, Cristina, opened a restaurant in her native Costa Rica before moving back to Atlanta. They started PushStart Kitchen, a supper club, in 2011 at the Goat Farm and built a base of … [Read more...] about Q & A: Zach Meloy
2018 Georgia Grown Chefs
GRA and Georgia Department of Agriculture Announce New Crop of Chefs at Taste of Georgia Event In February, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA), in partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, announced the 2018 Georgia Grown chefs. These six chefs join the roster of 27 other Georgia Grown Executive Chefs. Now in its seventh year, the Georgia Grown … [Read more...] about 2018 Georgia Grown Chefs
