FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Executive Chef Linton Hopkins

Linton Hopkins is a widely celebrated chef with deep Atlanta roots. After graduating from Emory University and the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, NY, Hopkins worked in restaurants in New Orleans and Washington D.C. It was in DC that Hopkins met his wife Gina. The pair moved back to Hopkins' hometown to open Restaurant Eugene on Peachtree Road in 2004, and quickly caught the attention of media and food lovers throughout the country.

In 2005, Hopkins beat out other accomplished Atlanta chefs to gain a spot in The Food Network's Iron Chef competition. He is a three-time James Beard Award Nominee for Best Chef – Southeast, and was crowned one of Food and Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs in 2009.

Hopkins opened Restaurant Eugene's sister operations Holeman & Finch Public House and H&F Bread Co. in 2008. Hopkins' newest endeavor, H&F Bottle Shop, a retail wine shop was opened in 2011.

Hopkins is committed to celebrating the rich bounty of Georgia farms through his meticulous and loving house-made preparations of natural meats and fresh, local produce. He is a founder of the Peachtree Road Farmer's Market, a member of Georgia Organics chef's advisory committee, the Atlanta Local Foods Initiative, and Food & Wine Magazine's Grow for Good campaign. Hopkins is also currently serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the Southern Foodways Alliance.

He most recently had the honor of harvesting vegetables out of the White House Garden with Michelle Obama, DC School children and the White House Chef to celebrate the First Lady's Chef's Move to Schools Initiative.