Atlanta: The New South's Newest Hotspot

Atlanta: The New South's Newest Hotspot
by Jessica Phillips
CulinaryEd Columnist

February 12, 2007

Forget pop culture references—Atlanta is not defined by Southern drawls, Scarlett O'Hara, and the Civil War. It is at the center of the New South. As the home of major cultural, historical, business, and media figures as diverse as Ted Turner and the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as corporations like Coca-Cola, CNN, and Delta Air Lines, Atlanta offers world-class culture, food, and economic opportunities. What more could a Georgia culinary school student ask for?

Atlanta Cuisine: From Hip Hop to High Culture

From the lively hip-hop music scene and soul-food mainstays to the latest high-end restaurants and cultural gems, Atlanta's wide range of culinary and cultural options is a huge draw for Georgia culinary students.

Soul food, Southern cuisine, and barbeque are always a good choice in Atlanta. Local comfort classics include the legendary soul-food restaurant Thelma's Kitchen; the Varsity, the largest drive-in fast food restaurant in the world; and the Colonnade, famous for Southern favorites like fried chicken.

For more upscale fare focused on local, organic ingredients, Frommer's recommends Bacchanalia as "one of the best restaurants in town." Another excellent choice is Restaurant Eugene, serving up sophisticated Southern fare.

Atlanta's Celebrity Restaurants and Restaurateurs

Celebrity restaurant owners have also made their mark on Atlanta. For great food and potential celebrity sightings, check out Gladys Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken & Waffles; Sean Combs and L.A. Reid's upscale soul and Caribbean restaurant, Justin's; or the Indigo Girls' Emily Saliers' Southern restaurant, Watershed.

World-Class Food, World-Class City

Atlanta's culture, business opportunities, and traditions make it a huge draw for all sorts of people— and when you consider the city's fantastic relationship with the foods and restaurants everyone loves, Atlanta is a world-class choice for any aspiring culinary school student.

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