Atlanta Chefs Partner With Georgia Department Of Agriculture

ATLANTA, Ga., August 30, 2007 - The American Culinary Federation (ACF) Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc., in partnership with the Georgia Restaurant Association, Slow Food Movement and Georgia Organics, will hold its second coming together of Atlanta chefs and restaurateurs with Georgia farmers to increase the use products grown in within the state Nov. 12 at the Georgia State Farmers Market in Atlanta.

After a successful meeting last March at Dunwoody Country Club, at which more than 200 chefs and foodservice-industry representatives met with local Georgia growers to discuss using more products grown in the state, ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc. was approached by Deputy Commissioner Terry Coleman and the Georgia Department of Agriculture to further the use of home grown. The event, which takes place Nov. 12 at the Georgia State Farmers Market promises to be another successful collaboration for exhibitors and attendees.

"We are extremely pleased by the Agriculture Department's invitation," said Chef Patrick Gebrayel, organizer of the first event and ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc. secretary. "When the meeting was coming together, I thought it would be helpful to have Georgia's Department of Agriculture involved, but at first it appeared that they did not know what to expect. We invited 28 farmers and producers that ranged from organic grits and local trout to meat, egg and poultry producers. Wineries, beer brewers and produce farmers were also invited."

The turnout was a surprise to everyone, including Gebrayel and Beth Miller, the Department of Agriculture's representative. Gebrayel and ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter President Michael Deihl, CEC, CCA, AAC, met with Coleman in June and decided at the recommendation of the State of Georgia to hold a statewide gathering of chefs, foodservice-industry professionals and growers at the Georgia State Farmers Market.

"This is how it should be," said Deihl. "The State, private industry and producers working toward one common goal to benefit Georgia, its residents, consumers and food supply."

"This encompasses all facets of the food Industry in Georgia from the farm to the table," Gebrayel. "Bringing all these people together is not just a celebration, it marks a new era of cooperation and hopefully a more sustainable, healthy, and diverse food supply for Georgia."

For additional details, exhibitor information or to register to attend, please contact Caroline McNulty by e-mail at caroline@carolinemcnulty.com, or call (770) 579-7092.

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