5th Annual Chefs of the World: A Taste of Fame

Atlanta, Georgia has always been known for its delicious southern cooking. But, in recent years this exciting metropolitan city has become recognized for its modern gourmet restaurants, in addition to the classic Atlanta cuisine. If you are planning on spending time in Atlanta, be sure and pay a visit to some of these top-notch eateries that have been made famous by their excellent menus and world-class chefs.

404Connect Magazine was on the scene to experience the 5th Annual Chefs of the World: A Taste of Fame event at the Hyatt Regency on Peachtree Street, hosted by the ever popular Thomas W. Dortch, Jr (Chairman of the board) and actor Emmanuel Lewis (Co-Chair). It is a fund development event which showcases exquisite creations by top chefs of the world, recognizing their extraordinary culinary accomplishments. The Food Service Industry and its ancillary professions, has proven to be a thriving economic engine and has provided career choices for many young men and women. A portion of the proceeds from the event will support scholarships for students pursuing a degree in the the fields of Hospitality or Culinary Arts. The remaining funds will be used for training and capacity building for alumni and student leadership organizations. Gerald Ivey showcased his awesome art also. It was a very nice event.

These are the restaurants and their General Managers/Chefs that put on this spectacular show of cuisines:

MAD Flavor - Marvin Woods

Exec Chef: Marvin Woods

755 Club @ Turner Field - Orazio La Manna, Director of Sales

Exec Chef: Christopher G. Walters

Atlanta Marriott Downtown - Michelle Bradely, Director of Sales/Marketing

Exec Chef: Victor Grichting

Atlanta Marriott Marquis - Eric Qualls, General Manager

Exec Chef: April Shepperson

Atlanta Technical College - Dr. Alvette Thomas, President

Exec Chef: Keith Carey

Barbeque Masters - Rhonda Ennis, Project Manager

Exec Chef: Eric Smith

Chef Mark Brown Team - Mark Brown, Owner

Exec Chef: Mark Brown

Eaen's Kitchen - Eaen Ekthamwongsa, Owner

Exec Chef: Eaen Ekthamwongsa

Georgia International Convention Center (Proof of the Pudding)- Hugh Austin, Executive Director

Exec Chef: Delroy Bowen

Hyatt Regency Atlanta - Joe Hindsley, General Manager

Exec Chef: Fritz Doss

Justin's Restaurant - Solomon Fornie, General Manager

Exec Chef: Jahleel Lambre

Kennesaw State University - Daniel S. Papp, Ph.D., President

Exec Chef: Billy Skiber

Landon's - Donald Lewis, General Manager

Exec Chef: Donald Wilson

Michon's Loft Restaurant - Michon Wilson, Owner/Manager

Exec Chef: Cedric Mims

One Ninety One Club - Everrett Butler, General Manager

Exec Chef: Darryl Longo

Straits Restaurant - Nashe Scott, General Manager

Exec Chef: Chris Espanol

The Culinary Training Academy - Sterling Burpee, Chief Culinary Officer

Exec Chef: Sterling Burpee

The Pecan Restaurant - Tony Morrow, Owner

Exec Chef: Tony Morrow

The Ritz Carlton, Atlanta - Tod Morrow, General Manager

Exec Chef: Yves Samake

The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead - Jon McGavin, General Manager

Exec Chef: Andrew Litherland

Your Resident Gourmet, LLC - Jennifer Hill-Booker, Proprietor

Exec Chef: Jennifer Hill-Booker

The Program went as follows:

Prelude - A beautiful piece by the Jeans Child Young Middle School Jazz Ensemble

Master of Ceremonies - Emmanuel Lewis

Inovocation - Judge Penny Brown Reynold (Family Court with Judge Penny)

Welcome & Occasion - Kendall Nicole Isadore (Miss NBCA Hall of Fame 2009-2010)

Chefs of the World Introductions - Chef Marvin Woods, Chair, 2010 Chefs of the World: A Taste of Fame

Greetings from the Host Hotel - Joe Hindsley

Original Art Through Spoken Word - Hank Stewart "Chocolate"

Musical Selection- Jeans Child Young Middle School Jazz Ensemble

Recognition of Sponsors & Special Guests - Thomas W. Dortch, Jr

Musical Selection - Kenall Nicole Isadore

Closing Remarks - Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman

A special thanks to the Director of sales and Marketing of Marriot Atlanta Downtown Michelle D. Bradley. A special thanks also to the good folks at ING, Dolores Cadette-Branche (Regional Director) and Fred Makonnen out of Cleveland, OH (HBCU/Urban Sales Director), they're doing it very big in the urban community with new initiative HBCU and Urban Market Development. Another to Oliver Williford and Dr. Paul McKoy, DDS (Beautiful Smiles Inc.), Michon Wislon (Michon's Smoked Meats & Seafood Restaurants), Cecil Bernard and Donna L. Jackson (Cecil Bernard Enterprises). Great people indeed.

View the pictures taken by George Byrom "The RingMaster" of 404Connect Magazine >>

Special Contributors:

191 Club

Buckhead Life Restaurant Group

Chef Marvin Woods

Chef Sterling Burpee

Claudine Choate

Frabel

McCormick & Schmidt

Morton's the Steakhouse

New York Prime

Rays in the City

TWD, Inc

Vision Cellars, Sonoma County, CA

Chefs of World 2010 Volunteers:

Eddie Bridgeman

Tesha Clemmons

Zaundra "Zee" Davis

Angel Gordon

Carl Gullette

James A. Harvey

Clara Burks-Jones

Lori Marsh

Tonya Mason

Kristin Parlor

Bridgitte Peoples

Bridgette Massey Peterson

Andre Richardson

Inda Royall

Leatha Spivey

Rosilind Taylor

Seyoum Tesfaye

Shakuna Trivedi

Cheryl Wilcox

Gwen Coleman Winston

Staff:

Beverly Stennett Darby

Thomas W. Dortch, III

Candace Spencer

Yolanda Graham

Planning Committe:

Eddie Bridgeman, Sr.

Gwen Coleman Winston

Carole A. Dortch

Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.

Be on the lookout for next event, Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.'s 6oth Birthday Bash! April, 10-11, 2010. Entertainment and Special Guest will include: Najee, Will Downing, Mike Phillips, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Susan Taylor, Hill Harper, Judge Glenda Hatchett, Hank Stewart, Frank Ski, Chaka Zulu and more.

TWD 6oth Birthday Bash - Hyatt Regency Hotel - Hosted by Hill Harper and Sheryl Lee Ralph 8:30 to Midnight