FOODIE JOURNAL
Culinary News & Notes
BY:
Lia Picard
FOOD NEWS
n The Southern Gentleman recently welcomed new executive chef Joseph Paire (above). He’s added delicious new menu items such as a cinnamon roll with bourbon pecan glaze and a fried chicken and skillet pancake. thesoutherngentlemanatl.com
Not So
n King + Duke has reformatted its menu to focus on shared plates. Dishes prepared over an open fire, such as the smoked lamb ribs, are meant to be eaten family-style.
At an exclusive event, Cast Iron & Collards Society members enjoyed a five-course dinner introducing Gunshow’s new chef.
Secret Society GEORGIA ORGANICS INTRODUCES AN INITIATIVE FOR ATLANTA FOODIES
G
eorgia Organics, the Buckheadbased nonprofit focused on empowering farmers, has launched a new initiative, the Cast Iron & Collards Society. While most of its
programs are geared towards farmers and workers in the food service industry, the organization is intended for all food enthusiasts. Georgia Organics director of development Jeff Romig explains, “We created Cast Iron & Collards to ensure that food enthusiasts of Atlanta have the opportunity to engage with the people who grow and prepare their food, specifically through curated events created by Georgia Organics.” Those events have included a talk with chef Todd Richards about his new cookbook, Soul, at the ASW Distillery and a dinner at Gunshow, where Chris McCord was announced as the new chef de cuisine. Cast Iron & Collards
kinganddukeatl.com
n Chido & Padre’s has a refreshing new addition to its weekend brunch service. The agua fresca bar features a variety of tequila-spiked fruity waters in flavors including hibiscus, watermelon and pineapple; nonalcoholic options are also available. chidoandpadres.com
members are given first access and discounts to the events. Other perks are in the works, too, such as a calendar that compiles restaurant soft openings and popups throughout town and a monthly happy hour. Members of the society aren’t just having fun; they’re also doing good, as proceeds from the membership fees support Georgia Organics’ efforts to provides farmers with fund-
ing for organic certification, health insurance and disaster relief. The society is for anyone, but Romig says it’s particularly for those who want fresh, local, organic food; shop at farmers markets; and are looking for restaurants that share similar values. georgiaorganics.org
A WINNING NEW SPOT WIN Indonesian Grill co-owner Ivan Raintung chats about his new restaurant Buckhead can now add an Indonesian restaurant to its portfolio of upscale eateries. WIN (Wonderful Indonesia) Indonesian Grill & Gastrobar opened in the Peachtree Battle Condominiums in February. We chatted with co-founder Ivan Raintung to learn more. How did you decide to open an Indonesian restaurant in Atlanta?
Atlanta was chosen for the first WIN due to the fact that
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it’s the largest city in the Southeast and the headquarters for many Fortune 500 companies. We chose Buckhead specifically because it’s been a mecca for upscale eateries and new chef-driven concepts intermingled with Atlanta staples. What flavors and ingredients are essential to Indonesian cuisine?
It often demonstrates complex flavors, acquired from certain ingredients and
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
bumbu dasar (basic seasoning). Indonesia has been famous for its spices for centuries. Indonesians love hot and spicy food, thus sambal, or chile paste, has in excess of 320 distinct kinds and is a crucial condiment to complement any Indonesian dish. Tell us about the partnership between your restaurant and the Wonderful Indonesia tourism initiative.
In an attempt to promote culinary tourism and achieve the target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists by
At WIN Indonesian Grill, dishes such as the rendang (right), in which short ribs are braised for 24 hours, demonstrate the cuisine’s “complex flavors,” says partner Ivan Raintung (above).
2019, the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism is collaborating with 100 diaspora restaurants across the globe through the Wonderful Indonesia co-branding program. n
WIN Indonesian Grill & Gastrobar 2285 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.352.3838 wingastrobar.com
