Chef Kevin Rathbun invited to Participate
in the James Beard Celebrity Chef Golf Tournament
For Immediate Release
ATLANTA, GA. March 12, 2004: Chef Kevin Rathbun of Rathbun’s in Atlanta will be participating in the four-day celebration of fine dining and golf at The James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Golf Invitational in Virginia at The Williamsburg Inn April 2-4, 2004 (See information below).
The Celebrity Chef Golf Invitational raises funds for The James Beard Foundation House Preservation Fund. Rathbun, who will be debuting his signature restaurant in May 2004, will be golfing side by side with chefs that include Mario Batali, Tom Colicchio, Kevin’s brother Kent Rathbun, Nancy Silverton and more. Kevin continues to be involved in local and national charity events. Some of the national and international organizations that Kevin is involved with include: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Meals on Wheels, James Beard Foundation, March of Dimes, Share Our Strength, National Liver Foundation, Camp Kudzu, Beastly Feast, Atlanta Food Bank (Board Member), Taste of the NFL, Atlanta’s Table, Camp Twin Lakes, High Museum Food & Wine Festival, and the Taste of Atlanta. To purchase a Package, please call 888.636.7296
About Kevin Rathbun: Even at a young age, Kevin Rathbun was no stranger to the restaurant business.
Watching his mother and grandmother picking the fresh vegetables from the garden and taking them to the table allowed him to grow up in a food-driven environment. From picking his own tomatoes and squash for the meal that evening, to going to the local dairy farm drinking the fresh squeezed milk from the cow, he quickly learned to appreciate the essence of food and family. His father, being a jazz musician in the Jazz Belt in Kansas City, often cooked great BBQ for his musician friends together and later had jam sessions in the basement. Such experiences have led Kevin to appreciate and share his passion for the hospitality industry.
Kevin entered the restaurant scene working as a young apprentice at age 14. Shortly after, he received the calling from renowned chef, Bradley Ogden, of The American Restaurant in Kansas City. At the age of 17, Kevin’s ambition and drive was noticed and he was quickly promoted to a Sous Chef. Developing his talents for the next three years, he was then offered another Sous Chef position at the renowned Brennan’s of Houston, Texas. There, Kevin continued to hone his skills and was then noticed and chosen by Executive Chef, Emeril Legasse, to relocate to Commanders Palace in New Orleans. Kevin kept pushing for that taste of perfection. He watched, duplicated and created new and exciting dishes.
He was then invited to become Chef at the noted Baby Routh in Dallas with Chef Stephen Pyles. While Kevin was Chef at Baby Routh in Dallas, it was named “one of America’s 25 best restaurants” by Mimi Sheraton of Travel & Leisure and received the DiRona award for dining excellence. His drive and passion continued to push for the next level and was soon the Executive Chef of NAVA in Atlanta where he brought Southwestern cuisine to the area. NAVA became an instant hit and was noticed both local and nationally.
Then in 1999, Kevin introduced Atlanta to Asian fusion as the opening chef for Bluepointe. Bluepointe has received local and national recognition in Esquire Magazine as a “top new restaurant” as well as the prestigious Triple A Four Diamond Award.
From 1999-2003, Chef Kevin was the Corporate Executive Chef for the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, and oversaw many of the restaurants. He updated and reviewed the menus at Chops, Atlanta Fish Market and the Buckhead Diner. Eventually, he landed at the Buckhead Diner to overhaul the menu and bring life back into this fifteen-year old restaurant. The Buckhead Diner has received local and national praise for its menu and service.
For more information, please contact Chef Kevin Rathbun at 770.723.1966 or via the website at www.rathbunsrestaurant.com
112 Krog Street, Suite R – Inman Park, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 – 770.723.1966
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Chef2Chef News Desk