Chef Hugh Acheson returns to Macon for cooking demo

Chef Hugh Acheson is the owner of five Georgia restaurants and a judge for the show “Top Chef” on the Bravo network.

Local cooking enthusiasts soon will have the opportunity to meet him.

Back by popular demand, Acheson will be at Robinson Home on Saturday for a cooking demonstration and book signing.

“He likes to show up,” chuckled Katie Wurstner, general manager for Robinson Home, a gourmet kitchen store at 470 First St. in downtown Macon. “It’s nice.”

Acheson plans to utilize the training kitchen to cook a peach peanut tomato salad for the audience. The free event allows for guests to watch the 20-30 minute demonstration, ask questions and have their books signed by the chef.

VIP tickets are available for $35 and include a copy of his latest cookbook, “The Broad Fork,” guaranteed seating for the demonstration and priority book signing.

Acheson also will be signing his two other cookbooks — “Pick a Pickle” and “A New Turn in the South” — and will participate in a “sign and chat” policy, allowing guests to ask questions about cooking.

“He does a lot of work trying to promote ‘close-to-the-ground’ eating — to know where your food comes from and try to eat locally sourced things,” said Wurstner.

In addition to judging on “Top Chef,” Acheson owns The National and 5&10 restaurants in Athens, The Florence in Savannah, and Empire State South and Spiller Park Coffee in Atlanta.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Chef Hugh Acheson returns to Macon for cooking demo."