James Beard Award-Winning Chefs Join SCAD Students to Explore Atlanta’s Vibrant Culinary Scene
New Episode Premieres at SCAD TVfest
ATLANTA — The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is proud to announce a new partnership with Atlanta public media powerhouse WABE to distribute the original, student-produced docuseries chefATL. The video series is set to premiere in late spring/early summer 2025 on WABE TV (PBS-30). Following its debut, the series will be accessible to audiences nationwide via PBS Passport.
"At WABE, we are passionate about amplifying Atlanta’s diverse voices and championing the storytellers who bring this city to life,” said Alison Hashimoto, WABE senior vice president of studios. “chefATL is a perfect example of how public media connects communities and cultivates the next generation of creative talent. Through our partnership with SCAD, we’re not just sharing Atlanta’s vibrant culinary scene — we’re fostering a space where emerging filmmakers and industry professionals collaborate to tell the stories that define our city. We’re proud to bring this student-driven series to audiences and showcase the incredible talent thriving right here in Atlanta."
On chefATL, SCAD students and local chefs explore the diversity of Atlanta through its dynamic culinary landscape. The production is a collaboration involving more than 100 students across nine SCAD degree programs and was shot on location at SCAD Film Studios in Midtown Atlanta.
“Food is the heart and soul of Atlanta, and with chefATL, our students are shining a spotlight on the incredibly diverse flavors and sustainable practices these industry experts bring to our community,” said Quinn Orear, SCAD associate chair of film and television. “SCAD Atlanta was founded 20 years ago and as we have changed and grown, so has this city’s incredible food scene,”
Local culinary luminaries featured in the series include James Beard Award-winning and nominated chefs Steven Satterfield (Miller Union), Deborah VanTrece (Twisted Soul Cookhouse), Terry Koval (The Deer and The Dove), Parnass Savang (Talat Market), Jiyeon Lee (Heirloom Market), and Hector Santiago (El Super Pan).
chefATL will be featured at SCAD TVfest, running Feb. 5–7 at SCAD Atlanta in Midtown. At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, SCAD students, alumni, faculty, and show talent will host an exclusive premiere screening of the second episode of the series on the SCADshow Main Stage, followed by a Q&A session. Tickets are currently available at scadtvfest.com.
ABOUT WABE
WABE is Atlanta’s original, independent, non-profit source for news and local stories and the choice for NPR and PBS. Our stations deliver fact-based journalism and inclusive, engaging, cultural content that informs, inspires, reflects, and empowers the millions who call the Greater Atlanta area home. WABE’s programs, podcasts, and events make Atlanta’s stories and storytellers accessible and relevant across various platforms for our diverse audience. WABE original programming, along with national NPR and PBS content, is available on WABE 90.1FM, WABE.org, WABE TV (PBS-30), and WABE-HD1/ WABE-HD2, as well as streaming on the WABE Mobile App, Hulu + Live, YouTube TV, Chromecast, PBS.org, Local Now, Roku, Android TV & mobile, Amazon Fire TV & tablets, iOS, tvOS, and Android TV live streams. Visit wabe.org for more information.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 18,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 110 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university’s renowned research lab and prototype generator. SCAD has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. A 2024 study found that 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more. Visit scad.edu.
Media Contact
Wendy Gardner
Senior Director, Public Relations
SCAD
[email protected]
Michelle Gavin
Executive Director, Communications
SCAD
[email protected]
