Episode 16: Chef Hugh Acheson

by Tanner Latham

Chef Hugh Acheson is one of the most celebrated and influential chefs in the country. He has a restaurant in Athens, Georgia Five and Ten. His Empire State South in Atlanta is one of the most popular places to dine in the city, and he also has Spiller Coffee with a couple of locations. Hugh is a two-time James Beard Award winner, once as a chef and once for his cookbook, A New Turn in the South. You may have seen him on television competing on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters or as a judge on the show Top Chef

Hugh's Radish tattoo.

Hugh's Radish tattoo.

Episode 5: To Teach To Learn To Eat

by Tanner Latham

Chef Roscoe Hall

In our food-obsessed culture, we likely never think about what's on the menu at an eating disorder clinic. A couple of chefs bring their inventive cuisine and gregarious personalities to Magnolia Creek, a treatment center in rural Alabama.  

The episode features the song "Pour Traverser" by the Birmingham-based band War Jacket.  

Chef Wil Drake

Roscoe's tattoo pays homage to his grandfather, John "Big Daddy" Bishop, the founder of Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa, AL ​

Wil's tattoo of a meat mincer pays homage to his grandfather who handmade sausage on his farm in Waynesboro, GA.

Microwave potato chips

Faux Crab Cakes by Chef Roscoe Hall 

Ingredients:  

2 spaghetti squash split in half, seeded, and rubbed with 1 TBL grape seed oil, S&P, then wrapped in foil.

2 cups black beans: 1 cup smashed with spoon, other cup left whole

1 cup chopped spinach

3 TBL minced garlic

3 TBLs each of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, fresh thyme, and oregano

2 TBL honey

2 TBL lime juice & zest of limes used

2 cups Panko bread crumbs: 1 for dusting, other for binding. More if needed.

Method:

-Preheat oven at 375.  

-Place foil wrapped Squash onto baking sheet and roast about 20-25 minutes or until sides push in when squeezed.

-When done, unwrap and let cool completely.

-Once cool grab fork and gently fork out strings/flesh of squash from skin and put that into mixing bowl.

-Add all spices, spinach, and beans, and toss until it is mixed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

-Now add Panko as needed to bind and the mixture forms patties with ease. You're shooting for crab cake feel.

-Once cakes are formed, dust outside of cakes with Panko. Put on tray and let cool in fridge for 30 minutes.

-Once ready to cook, turn a pan on medium heat, give a few swirls of grape seed oil and gently lay down cakes into pan. Sear about 3 minutes on both sides or until golden brown.

-Boom. You're done. Serve with a nice herb salad, rice, or even as a sandwich. 

Microwave Potato Chips by Chef Wil Drake 

Ingredients:

-Russet potatoes 

-grape seed oil (or any other neutral oil)

-kosher salt 

-fresh ground pepper 

Method:

-Wash potatoes.

-Slice thin on mandolin or with a very sharp knife. You want to just barely see your finger through the slice.  

-Place the slices in a bowl and cover with water. Let them hang out for at least 15-20 mins to expel some of the starch.

-Rinse them, shake off excess water, and lay out on a microwaveable plate lined with paper towels. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

-Pop them in the microwave at full power for about 4-5 mins. Take them out and flip over. Repeat the oil and salt and pepper process. Reduce your power by about 50% and cook another 3-4 mins. Continue zapping them in 1 min increments until they are brown around the edges and crispy!!

-They will keep in an air tight container for almost a week.