Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program

2025 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs

Mission

To create a statewide, Georgia Grown Executive Chef program to promote and foster relationships between chefs and farmers. The program will create a mark of honor and distinction for each chef involved, and garner a greater awareness both among restaurateurs and consumers about the availability of quality, local products on Georgia’s restaurant scene.

The new class of Georgia Grown Executive Chefs will be honored during this year's State Restaurant Day at The Georgia State Capitol.

Apply for the Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program

The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Georgia Grown campaign has partnered with the Georgia Restaurant Association for a statewide Georgia Grown Executive Chef program; your involvement in this program contributes to our mission to create a greater awareness both among restaurateurs and consumers about the importance of buying and eating local. Winners will be honored during State Restaurant Day at The Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Interested in becoming a 2026 Georgia Grown Executive Chef? 

Review the requirements and complete the application process HERE.

Past Georgia Grown Executive Chefs

2025

Joey Ward, Georgia Boy & Southern Belle

Carlos Granderson, Southern National

Alan Byers, The Deer and the Dove

Jamie Keating, EPIC Restaurants

Woolery “Woody” Beck, Table & Main

Chelsia Ogletree, Her Majesty Kitchen + Catering

Joshua Sweeney, Sincere Fare

2024

Lauren Bolden, Pie Bar

Jared Hucks, The Alden

Thomas Jacobs, North Pointe Hospitality

Ashley Keyes, The Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully, Inc. (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.)

Stuart Rogers, Your 3rd Spot

Jason Vullo, Community Brew and Tap

2023

Chef Robert Butts, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

Chef Kristina Dahl, Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia | Helms College

Chef Karl Gorline, the Woodall

Chef Ray Kees, Krystal Restaurants

Chef Matthew Raiford, Gilliard Farms

2020 - 2022

Jamie Adams

Alex Friedman

Timothy Magee

Jessica Rothacker

Maricela Vega

Peter Vossenberg

2019

Julio Delgado

Jessica Gamble

Greg Lipman

Thomas McKeown

Christian Perez

Deborah VanTrece

​

2018

Evan Cordes

Julian Goglia

Chef Jason Jimenez

Brian David Jones

Zach Meloy

Christian Rodriguez

Chef Todd White

2017

Chef Rusty Bowers

Chef Megan Brent

Chef Cynthia Graubart

Chef Dusty Grove

Chef Nick Leahy

Chef Jason Paolini​

2016

Chef David Larkworthy

Chef Savannah Haseler

Chef Douglas Turbush

Chef Seth Freedman

Chef Derek Dollar

2015

Chef Matthew Basford

Chef Cathy Conway

Chef Jay Swift

Chef John Syzmanski

2014

Senior Director Gary Coltek

Chef Roberto Leoci

Chef Marc Taft

Chef Virginia Willis

2013

Chef Jennifer Hill Booker

Chef Linton Hopkins

Chef Ahmad Nourzad

Chef David Snyder

2012

Chef Holly Chute

Chef Michael Deihl

Chef Kevin Gillespie

Chef Hilary White