The culinary scene in Atlanta has recently garnered worldwide attention following the release of the prestigious Michelin Guide Atlanta. The guide has recognized 45 restaurants within the city as prominent culinary establishments, with five of them receiving a coveted Michelin star rating. This international recognition has propelled Atlanta's food culture to rank alongside some of the finest dining destinations worldwide. Despite recent controversy, Atlanta's culinary scene continues to thrive. Senior Editor for Food Dining and Living at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Ligaya Figueras, joined The Rashad Richey Morning Show to speak about what this means for Atlanta's culinary reputation.
The Michelin Guide is a well-known guide that was originally a handbook that has been around for a whopping 123 years. It was originally created by a famous tire manufacturer from France as a way to encourage people to hit the road and, of course, buy more tires. The Michelin Guide has now expanded to cover 40 different cities all over the world. It's a testament to its longevity and popularity among food enthusiasts everywhere.
Ms. Figueras, enthusiastic about the positive influence of the Michelin Guide on the city's culinary landscape, expressed her excitement, stating, "It lifts our dining scene's international profile... It puts us on par with the best in the world." Ms. Figueras also spoke on how the recognition from the Michelin Guide would attract a more diverse range of discerning food lovers and inspire local chefs to strive for excellence.
In addition to her insights on the impact of a star rating, Ms. Figueras offered valuable advice on how restaurants without a Michelin rating can still gain recognition. One alternative route she suggested was to explore the weekly restaurant reviews by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
While the presence of the Michelin Guide Atlanta has certainly shed light on the city's culinary scene, Ms. Figueras firmly believes that there is much more to Atlanta's dining landscape than the restaurants included in the esteemed guide. In fact, she emphasizes, "I think long before Michelin came here, Atlanta has always had a vibrant dining scene. It's incredibly diverse, and that's something we've celebrated well before Michelin arrived in town." Ms. Figueras highlighted that exceptional and diverse food experiences can be found in every corner of the city, not solely limited to the downtown area.
Ms. Figueras graciously shared a few of her personal favorite dining spots in Atlanta. One of her top recommendations is Deer and the Dove in Decatur for its laid-back ambiance and outstanding attention to culinary detail. Another gem she mentioned is Southern Belle in midtown, known for its chef-driven Southern cuisine that never fails to impress. Lastly, Ms. Figueras highlighted Breaker in Reynolds Town as a must-visit for its delicious and reasonably priced menu offerings.
To listen to the complete interview between Ligaya Figueras and Dr. Rashad Richey, click on the link provided above.
Dr. Rashad Richey, host of the award-winning ‘Rashad Richey Morning Show’ on News & Talk 1380 – WAOK/V-103FM (HD3) (Weekdays 7am -10am), and the ‘Dr. Rashad Richey Review’ on SiriusXM’s Urban View (Sundays at 1pm and 9pm), was voted 'Best Talk Radio Personality in Atlanta' by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and named 'Most Trusted Voice in Atlanta' by the Atlanta Business Journal, making him the first African-American to receive these distinctions.
The intelligent and fearless television news anchor for the opinion news show, 'Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey’ on the TYT Network, which was named 'fastest growing TV news show in America', and Political Commentator for The People's Station V-103 FM, America's largest urban station, also serves as President of Rolling Out, the largest free-print urban publication in the country. This multimedia powerhouse with over 3-million combined subscribers/followers on Facebook Watch, YouTube, Podcasts, and Twitch combined, is a noted multidisciplinary academic scholar and university professor/lecturer and an Emmy-nominated television Political Analyst for CBS News Atlanta.
Believing in the power of knowledge and education, Dr. Richey holds several advanced degrees, making him one of the most academically credentialed individuals in American history according to America News Now. Completing doctoral research studies in federal policy reform from Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Richey also holds a PhD from the Business University of Costa Rica where his research and doctoral dissertation highlighted the nuances and intersectionality of politics, policy and religion.
Being a student of leadership, Dr. Richey completed studies in Executive Leadership at Cornell University and was accepted into a specialty executive law program at Harvard University in International Finance: Policy, Regulation, and Transactions. Understanding the connectivity of culture and science, Dr. Richey earned his Master of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Pacific, where his master’s thesis researched cognitive functionalities of brain entrainment. Dr. Richey also completed a Master of Science in Applied Physics and Quantum Mechanics from Universidad Empresarial, his master’s thesis was adapted into a book titled, ‘Ancient Egyptian Mastery of Quantum Physics, Vibratory Frequency, and Geometric Sciences: An Overview of Complex Scientific Applications in Ancient Cultures’, which quickly became the #1 Physics, #1 Science, #1 History, and #1 Egyptian Genre b0ok on the Amazon platform.
As an executive leader, Dr. Richey says it’s imperative to combine business practices with compassionate leadership principles, which was a primary focus when completing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Beulah Heights University. Dr. Richey also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Humanitarian Studies from the University of Renaissance and a Doctor of Law in International Law (ABD) from the research institution, Azteca University.
He is currently in the final leg of completing his Juris Doctor (Law Degree) from Birmingham Law School and dually enrolled in a PhD in Quantum Physics program, which is a collaborative between the Clark Atlanta University physics department and the School of Life Information Science & Engineering at Asia Pacific School of Business.
As host of The Rashad Richey Morning Show, Dr. Richey has interviewed everyone from Vice-President Kamala Harris to TI, and always brings relevant information, the best on-air debates, and most insightful interviews in media. Tune in every weekday morning from 7am-10am on News and Talk 1380-WAOK, V-103FM (HD3), www.WAOK.com, or on the Audacy App.