Chef Jamie Lynch Heads to James Beard House – Preview His Menu at Special 5Church Atlanta Dinner Jan. 24

5Church executive chef, partner and “Top Chef” contestant Jamie Lynch will cook at the James Beard House on Feb. 8 with fellow 5Church chef Adam Hodgson. Logistics may prevent you from attending that event. On one special night, however, diners can enjoy their James Beard House menu at a special preview dinner at 5Church Atlanta in Midtown on Tuesday, Jan. 24, two weeks before the chef duo flies off to New York City. The four-course, prix fixe preview dinner with wine pairings begins at 7 p.m. and is priced at $85 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). The menu features winter squash salad with compressed stone fruit, tempura greens and aïoli accompanied by Piper-Heidsieck Champagne brut NV; sautéed skate with root vegetables Parisienne and blood orange grenobloise sauce paired with Weingut Josef Leitz rosé 2015; wood pigeon roulade with cauliflower, sake-braised turnip and wild mushrooms along with Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012; and dessert of PB&J -- butter brioche with peanut butter zeppelin, ruby port spheres and Gianduja chocolate, paired with 5Church Signature port wine hot chocolate. Limited seating. Reservations required with 48-hour advance cancellation notice; call 5Church Atlanta at 404-400-3669. Validated parking and complimentary valet available.

Peachy! Derek Dollar and Doug Turbush Serve Tastes of Southern Hospitality at James Beard House Georgia Grown Dinner June 18

The boys from the Peach State travel to the Big Apple for dinner next week. Chefs Derek Dollar and Doug Turbush are two of the Atlanta-area chefs commencing to fix a Georgia Grown dinner at the famed James Beard House in New York City on Saturday, June 18. Sure, we’ll brag on our state. Fruits, vegetables, seafood, fish, meat, poultry and game on the menu will have been grown, raised or caught in Georgia. Likewise for the beer, distilled spirits and wines complementing reception hors d’oeuvre and the six-course tasting dinner menu. Dollar, of Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in Crabapple and The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill – Roswell, contributes hors d’oeuvre of bourbon-braised pork belly tacos with green tomato chowchow and radishes for the opening reception. When guests progress to dinner, they’ll enjoy Milton’s Acre produce in Dollar’s summer squash casserole with wood-grilled plantation quail, lipstick pepper Romesco, charred scallion oil and chorizo bread crumbs -- just like the folks dining back home at Milton’s. Turbush, of Marietta restaurants Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar, adds his own Georgia Grown specialties to the menu -- pickled Georgia shrimp with lemon mayonnaise on heirloom rye toasts and Georgia mountain trout with field pea succotash, roasted lemon vinaigrette and mushroom confit. No seats remain for this night of Southern hospitality. No worries, we can savor the creations of these fine chefs right here, without even crossing state lines.

Umi Chefs Fuyuhiko and Lisa Ito to Wow NYC’s James Beard House with Night of Modern Japanese Cooking on August 21

Umi chef Fuyuhiko Ito and his wife, Umi pastry chef Lisa Matsuoko Ito, will take over the Big Apple’s culinary scene on August 21 at 7 p.m. at the James Beard House. The James Beard Foundation wanted to bring an “Art of Modern Japanese Cooking” dinner theme to NYC, and the two culinary powerhouses are bringing their Buckhead restaurant’s Japanese flair and fare. See their James Beard House menu with wine and sake pairings that guests will enjoy at this tasty event!

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.

Reminiscing About Last Weekend

It's hard to believe I was in NYC this time last week eagerly anticipating dinner at the James Beard House featuring Chef Shane Touhy of Dogwood. Sigh. But the memories are great. I've posted our pictures on the MLA Flickr account so feel free to check them out.

When I walked into the dining room and saw a table full of wine glasses with dogwoods in the centerpiece and a menu that sounded delicious, well, I knew it would be a good night. And it was.

I swear that I loved every single course. Every one. Maybe, maybe, maybe the venison tartare edged out the others, but I'm not sure. It was all just great.
Shane's wife and parents made the trek to NYC too. It was a wonderful night and I can't wait til next time!

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.

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!!