“Best Chefs America Presents: The American South”

Chefs know best when it comes to judging their peers, according to Best Chefs America. After asking the tough questions of more than 5,000 U.S. chefs, the results are in. 

Atlanta chefs rose to the top of the heap, including Adam Evans of The Optimist and Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy. These two made the cut for the 2014 edition of “Best Chefs America Presents: The American South.” Evans, executive chef at The Optimist and a 2012 Rising Star Chef, turned his youthful affinity for fishing into a culinary focus. Trendsetter Doty, Bantam + Biddy co-owner and executive chef, zeroes in on regional ingredients and flavors served up in a community-centric atmosphere. 

The 248-page travel-size guide covers 12 Southern states with essays, recipes, food facts, trends and social media insight for following the best chefs and their restaurants.