LOCAL CHEFS PARTY IN THE KITCHEN FOR A GREAT CAUSE

The 7th Annual Party in the Kitchen event at Mason Murer Fine Art is tonight, September 9th, and some of Atlanta’s finest chefs will be on location to help raise funds and awareness for Open Hand, a nonprofit organization that packs and delivers more than 5,000 meals daily across 17 Georgia counties for individuals living with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer. Tonight guests can catch a glimpse into the future of Open Hand since Mason Murer is located right next to the site of their new campus. The evening will include live music, dancing, and food prepared onsite by local chefs Gerry Klaskala of Aria and Craig Sauls of The Original El Taco. Plus, an exciting new addition to this year’s event will be a silent auction, where the grand prize is a meal for a lucky party of 12 prepared in the winner’s home by Peter Kaiser, Gerry Klaskala, Kevin Maxey, Kevin Rathbun, and Shane Touhy! Reserved admission is $150 for a single event ticket or $500 for two Patron tickets (which includes event admission plus access to the exclusive Patron reception at 6:00 p.m. where patrons can meet and greet participating chefs). Event parking is complimentary. Purchase tickets at ProjectOpenHand.org.

Save The Date For Dogwood's Anniversary

Mark your calendars: Dogwood Owners Scott Black and Shane Touhy have planned a special five-course dinner to celebrate their Midtown restaurant’s first anniversary on July 20. Plan on savoring seasonally inspired Southern specialties along with award-winning wines from Napa’s Falcor Winery at the anniversary dinner party. A Falcor winemaker will be at the dinner to review wine and food pairings, and Dogwood will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from the event to Breast Friends, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization that provides support, practical assistance, information and resources for breast cancer patients and their loved ones. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails at the bar followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is $70 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Be sure to snag a seat by calling now for reservations. Touhy was named one of Atlanta’s Top 25 Chefs by The Sunday Paper and he was a guest chef at the renowned James Beard House in NYC this past April, so you won't want to miss out on his anniversary specials!

Dogwood is located in the Reynolds condominium building at 565 Peachtree Street, Suite A; 404-835-1410.

Get Your Very Own James Beard House Dinner at Dogwood Without Leaving Atlanta

Don't miss out on your chance to get first dibs on Chef Shane Touhy's James Beard House menu that he'll be preparing in NYC on April 18. This talented Atlanta chef is serving a sneak preview at Dogwood, his home restaurant, on Tuesday, April 14. He’ll offer the same menu he’s preparing for his April 18 James Beard House Dinner, paired with Swanson Vineyards wines for the fixed price of $95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Shane wants "the people that support us day in and day out to experience this special menu right here at Dogwood.”

Click here to check out Shane's special menu and the Swanson Vineyards wines that will accompany it. Seats are going fast, so call 404-835-1410 to reserve a table for the special evening. Note: all guests at the table must order the James Beard House menu. New York-bound diners can make a reservation at The Beard House for Touhy’s April 18 dinner ($125 members/$165 non members) by calling 212-627-2308. Dogwood is located at 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410. The Beard House is located at 167 West 12th Street in New York City; 212-627-2308.

Dogwood Weighs in With Ways to Keep Your Wallet Fit: $20 Buys Mussels and Wine

Dogwood invites you to hoist “all-you-can-eat mussels” at the bar for $20 and satisfy your thirst with a free glass of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, all day and night, Tuesday through Friday. Here’s the warm-up: Chef Shane Touhy's PEI mussels are sautéed in olive oil with garlic, white wine and house-smoked tomatoes then dressed with butter and fresh parsley. And you're sure to find a "workout buddy" while working on your mussels - the restaurant's bar is a lively and inviting space that's perfect for meeting new friends or chatting with the friendly bartenders. Dogwood is located at 565 Peachtree Street in The Reynolds condominium building; 404-835-1410.

Shane Tuohy of Dogwood to Cook at the Famous James Beard House

The year 2009 is already off to a great start for one of our favorite local chefs. Shane Tuohy of Dogwood has been invited by the James Beard Foundation to be a guest chef at the prestigious James Beard House. The mission of the James Beard Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, is to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America's culinary heritage and diversity in order to elevate the appreciation of our culinary excellence. It is an honor to have Chef Tuohy representing Atlanta when he presents his unique Southern culinary perspective at the storied house.

The April 18 dinner will be a five-course affair, complete with wine and dessert. One can only hope Chef Tuohy finds a way to incorporate his famous grits bar into the menu! Congratulations to Dogwood and to Chef Tuohy.

CHEERS!!

YouTube Video Captures Growing Gains! Watch Dogwood Come to Life on Peachtree

From the day I was born, my entire life was captured on film. Whether it was my dad with the video camera documenting my every step or my mom with the camera contstantly snapping those awkard candid shots; my parents felt the need track it all. See? Here I am on the morning of my third birthday, looking a little less then thrilled to have my picture taken.

Dogwood owners Scott Black and Shane Touhy are taking a similar parental approach as they watch, and film, their restaurant come to life, literally from the ground floor up. By ground floor, we are referring to the street level of the Reynolds condominium building at 565 Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. As you view these home movies, you’ll feel the parental pride blooming along with the restaurant. Dogwood, a sophisticated setting for southeastern regional cooking, will open in June 2008. For more information, call 404-835-1410.