After an impressive 22-year run as one of Atlanta's most innovative and beloved chefs, Woodfire Grill chef/owner Michael Tuohy is returning to the left coast.

This fall, the San Francisco native and his wife, Patti, will move home where Tuohy is due to join the Joie de Vivre Hospitality Group, a San Francisco based boutique hotel brand, along with the Rubicon Development Group in Sacramento, to launch a new farm-to-table restaurant called Grange.

According to Tuohy's blog, "Grange will be located at the new Citizen Hotel, located one block from the state capitol in Sacramento. We hope to open before the end of the year."

Tuohy tells Buzz that he's in the process of selling Woodfire Grill and hopes to stay on as an adviser "indefinitely."

"I'm up for a new challenge but I'm going to miss Atlanta," says Tuohy. "We've had such a wonderful clientele and staff over the years. And the relationships with the farmers have been very special to me."

As the city's foodies well know, Tuohy was an early champion of organic farming and creating healthful farm-to-table cuisine.

"For me, it was never a concept," Tuohy explained Monday. "It was a lifestyle and a belief. It's gratifying that those ideas are becoming more mainstream."

The chef first established a name for himself when he was hired in 1986 to transform Chef's Cafe into an irresistible taste of California wine country for Atlantans.

Thankfully, Tuohy will be at the stove for his Cheshire Bridge Road eatery's annual tomato dinner set for July 30. His final night in the kitchen is planned to coincide with Woodfire's sixth anniversary dinner Aug. 12.

Atlanta diners will be able to chart the chef's updates via his always informative blog, www.michaeltuohy .typepad.com.

Overscene

Morehouse grad and actor Samuel L. Jackson dining at Canoe with wife and Atlanta native LaTanya Richardson and family. Executive Chef Carvel Grant Gould visited with the Jackson party and brought out samplings of her rabbit dish.

Rolling into town

"Hobnobbing with Bob" was what Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and Georgia's favorite tree farmer, and his wife, Rose Lane, were doing over the weekend.

They got stuck in traffic as they traveled from their 2,500-acre Twiggs County farm, Charlane to Atlanta. But they still made it on time Saturday to visit with former National Public Radio anchor Bob Edwards at the Aflac-sponsored VIP party. Edwards spoke at the Atlanta Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists awards gala, held at the Commerce Club.

The musician and the radio announcer struck up a friendship after Edwards interviewed Leavell for more than an hour in NPR's studios in 2003. Later, Leavell was one of Edwards' first guests after the velvet-voiced radio anchor moved to XM Satellite Radio.

After his short speech (which he said he hadn't prepared in advance), Edwards was asked the "real" reason for leaving after 24 1/2 years.

"I left NPR because they were not saying nice things about me," was the answer. He added that none of those people are still there, and one was fired.

During the speech, he said he's writing a book that has elements of "intrigue, smears, lies, hush money and a spy." When Buzz confirmed later it was his autobiography, he leaked the working title: "A Voice in the Box."

Leno out next May

Conan O'Brien will take over the "Tonight" show next June —- and what happens to Jay Leno after that is anybody's guess.

Leno's last show will be May 29, and O'Brien will start the following Monday, June 1, NBC executives told a Television Critics Association meeting on Monday.

NBC is angling to keep Leno but the late-night king has indicated he's ready to jump ship. Eager NBC competitors, including other networks and syndicators, are prepared to help him make the leap.

STORK REPORT

It's a boy!

Shaun's owner Shaun Doty reports to Buzz that his chef Lance Gummere and wife Gracie are the proud parents of Ryland Bergeron Gummere. The newborn weighed in at 5 pounds, 14 ounces. Mommy and baby are doing well.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Game show host Alex Trebek is 68. Singer George Clinton is 67. Singer-actor Bobby Sherman is 65. Singer Estelle Bennett of The Ronettes is 64. Actor Danny Glover is 61. Actor-comedian-director Albert Brooks is 61. Singer Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls is 45. Singer Rufus Wainwright is 35. Actress Franka Potente ("The Bourne Identity") is 34.

—- Contributing: Rachel Tobin Ramos and news services