Atlanta native Gerry "G" Garvin has developed his reputation as a celebrity chef host on TV One, the Cooking Channel and most recently, the Travel Channel, where he hosts "Underground BBQ Challenge."
Garvin is now bringing his world view to the Buckhead Theatre August 7, where he'll create multiple dishes and weave tales about his life and how those foods relate to him. V-103's DJ Trauma will spin hip hop, jazz, gospel and Latin tunes while Garvin prepares his meals. (Tickets available here.)
Before the show, ticketholders will get to sample foods from several of Garvin's favorite local eateries such as The Fickle Pickle, Davio's, Watershed and Local Three Kitchen & Bar plus Garvin's own new Southern restaurant at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport LowCountry. (Those paying VIP will get to eat food from off the stage from Garvin's own hand.)
"I saw D.L. Hughley when the Buckhead Theatre was the Roxy when I was a kid," Garvin said. "This is going to sound corny but I always dreamed of doing a live show there. I want to share my passion and love for cooking."
He said he likes to make “comfort food” and plans to offer his own take on Southern staples such as shrimp and grits, pork belly, mac and cheese and poundcake.
Garvin’s background in cooking goes back to his teen years in Atlanta. He was raised by a single mom who worked as a cook at a local Jewish home, where he hung out and learned his way around the kitchen. He began picking up jobs at local restaurants to help his mom pay the bills. Eventually, he landed a gig at the Ritz Carlton downtown, where he became a teen-age line cook.
After graduating Northside High School, he moved to Los Angeles, where he eventually ran his own restaurant and caught the attention of TV production companies. He landed his first show in 2002 on TV One.
Rochelle Brown, executive producer for Garvin's TV shows going back 12 years, has worked with luminaries such as Rachael Ray and Emeril Lagasse. "G and I have great chemistry," she said. "It's like ying and yang. We are each other's TV husband and wife. I know what makes him tick. He knows just how much to push back so I don't hurt him!"
She said the idea of doing a live show came while they were taping the third season of “Road Trip With G Garvin” for the Cooking Channel last year. On the show, they travel the country seeking restaurants that offer up dishes with Southern influences in places as wide ranging as Hawaii, New York and Chicago.
“G can be invited into anybody’s neighborhood, walk into a room and demand respect,” Brown said. “He’s contagious. His drive and passion always comes through.”
How come he's called G and not Gerry? Because it's pronounced "Gary" and everyone mispronounced it. So a shortened "G" came to be.
Preview
G. Garvin Live
7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7
$70-$145
3110 Roswell Rd, Atlanta
Buckhead Theatre
www.ticketmaster.com, 404-843-2825
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