Of course everyone in Athens, GA has heard about how amazing the local restaurant Five and Ten is, but now it's time for the whole world to find out! Five and Ten chef Hugh Acheson will compete on Season 3 of Bravo TV's culinary competition show Top Chef Masters.
Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Acheson is chef/partner of Athens Five and Ten, The National, and Gosford Wine, and Atlanta's Empire State South. His experience working under Chef Rob MacDonald taught him the delicacy of French cooking, Ottawa's Henri Burger Restaurant trained him in wine and etiquette, and his time as opening sous-chef for Chef Gary Danko exposed him to simplistic and disciplined culinary techniques. Since opening Five and Ten in 2000, Acheson has honed his skills and perfected his style of southern beauty blended with European flavor.
Although Athens is a small town, Acheson's talent has brought him big accolades including James Beard's Best Chef Southeast Award nominee for the past five years, one of Food and Wine magazine's America's Best New Chefs, and winner of Gourmet magazine's Most Appropriate Chef's Tattoo!
As a contestant on Top Chef Masters, Acheson will be competing on behalf of his chosen charity, Wholesome Wave. For each challenge Acheson wins, Wholesome Wave will receive money (either $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the challenge!) Wholesome Wave's three goals are to "Nourish family farmers, Nourish communities, and Nourish the health of America," a very appropriate charity choice for Acheson who fuses local produce with high-class style. The winner of the competition will receive $100,000 for their charity.
This season on the show, challenges will be elimination style, following the format of the original Top Chef. Celebrity chef Curtis Stone will be the host, and the 12 world-renown contestants will cook for celebrities such as Maroon 5, Mad Men's Christina Hendricks, and singer Kelis.
For more information about the show visit http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef-masters where you can also check out Hugh Acheson's bio.
Don't miss the premiere April 6th at 11/10c on Bravo and in the meantime, if you haven't already, head to Five & Ten and get a taste of the famous Athens food from Chef Hugh Acheson!
Five and Ten
1653 S. Lumpkin Street Athens, Georgia 30606
(706) 546-7300