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MORE CHEF NEWS NATALIA'S New executive chef: Brad Stevens Brad Stevens has championed the local food movement downtown at Dovetail for the last decade and helped put Macon on the foodie map of the South. Now, he's taking on a new challenge: Natalia's. Thanks to Natalia del Basso Orsini (who founded the restaurant in 1984 and contributed to its 34 years of thriving) and Moonhanger Group (who purchased the property in 2018 when Orsini retired and are laying the groundwork for a long and successful future), Natalia's is a lion in Macon's food scene with a reputation for excellence. Honoring Natalia's pedigree, switching from New American to classic Italian cuisine, and leading a staff and feeding a dining room twice as large as Dovetail's: These new challenges energize Stevens. "I'm excited about the challenge of operating the kitchen at Natalia's. I'll do my best to honor the strong traditions there while infusing a modern approach to Northern Italian cuisine," Stevens said. Foodies across Macon can't wait to hear the venerable lion's new roar. DOVETAIL New head chef: Lane Richardson Chef Richardson has been a key player at Dovetail for five years. He became chef de cuisine (second-in-command) in June 2022, and he's bringing his experience, training in culinary arts at Helms College, and passion for local foodways to this new and exciting role as head chef in 2023. "I have the opportunity to lead the restaurant that I used to dream about getting a job at, and not a lot of people get to say that. Dovetail has always stood for principles that I value: creativity, community growth, working with and supporting local farmers and artisans, seasonality, pushing boundaries, and holding ourselves to the highest standard we possibly can. I'm so thankful that I've been able to spend the last several years learning under Chef Brad Stevens, thankful for the incredibly talented and hard-working team we have, and I'm proud and beyond excited to be at the helm going forward," Richardson said. PEARL AND MY GRANDMA'S EMPANADAS Ashley Doolin and Rikki Waite team up, bringing empanadas to Pearl Local business owners and chefs Ashley Doolin of Pearl in Macon and Rikki Waite of My Grandma's Empanadas in Warner Robins are teaming up. Doolin, wanting to add empanadas to the menu at her restaurant, approached the empanada empress of Central Georgia, Waite, about featuring her delectable, flaky, spicy chicken turnovers full-time on the menu. "In the state of Georgia, only 22 percent of businesses are owned by women, and we want to see that number rise!" Doolin wrote in a social media post announcing the partnership. Head downtown to First Street to grab an empanada and some of Doolin's famous bread pudding to celebrate women supporting women, one delicious hand-pie at a time. CHURCHILL'S ON CHERRY AND BEARFOOT TAVERN New head chef: Gerard Atkinson Bearfoot Tavern and the new cigar lounge, Churchill's on Cherry, partnered to bring Chef Gerard Atkinson from Savannah to Macon as head chef. Gerard brings experience in fine dining and more casual fare, including Sea Island Resort, River House Seafood, and, most recently, Lady & Sons. His cooking style is influenced by his coastal Georgia, Gullah-Geechee heritage and global fine dining techniques. He said he's excited to refine Bearfoot's menu while introducing dishes like Wagyu Oscar strip steaks at the more upscale Churchill's. Atkinson said he is enjoying the change of scene. "I've been in the restaurant industry for going on 29 years, and I promise you this has been the best vibe, the best energy on Thursday, Friday, Saturday night. I've never seen it before in my life. It feels good to come to work," Atkinson said. - SIERRA STEVENS SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: maconmagazine.com PHOTO BY JAVE BJORKMAN the curtain" this year to give you great drama. 478-471-PLAY | MACONLITTLETHEATRE.ORG | 4220 FORSYTH ROAD Like Sesame Street, for grownups* *Mature content. It's just like your life, only funnier! February 10-19, 2023 Directed by JP Haynie Music Direction by Nestor Jaenz A Hilarious Adult Comedy - With Puppets! FEB. 10-19 GET TICKETS AND FIND OUT MORE MACONLITTLETHEATRE.ORG 36 maconmagazine.com