From the New York Times Diner’s Journal…

My chef friend Scott Peacock called today to confirm that he has resigned from the Watershed restaurant in Atlanta to pursue new projects.

Scott had been with Watershed for 11 years, during which the restaurant become known for its interpretations of Southern food, including fried chicken, which regularly sells out on Tuesday nights, the only night it is available. Last week, the James Beard Foundation named him a semi-finalist in the Outstanding Chef category, a nationwide award.

Emily Saliers, a co-owner of Watershed, gave me a follow-up call this afternoon. She is one half of the Indigo Girls, and is in Miami getting ready for one of their concerts tonight. She called the separation “amicable.” The crew at the Watershed, which is accustomed to working without Mr. Peacock when he travels, will continue to put out the same food while Ms. Saliers and her co-owner, Ross Jones, search for a new executive chef.

According to the post, Peacock’s future plans include working on a documentary and writing books.

Thanks to Amanda for forwarding.

Two Decatur chefs are listed among the semi-finalists for this year’s James Beard Foundation awards.

• Scott Peacock of Watershed fame is one of 20 semi-finalists in the Outstanding Chefs category.
• Cakes & Ale’s Billy Allin is one of 20 semi-finalists in the “Best Chef: Southeast” category.

Peacock was an “Outstanding Chef” semi-finalist last year as well. This is Allin’s first nomination.

Congrats to both Decatur semi-finalists!

Jump over to CL’s Omnivore (who also gets the hat-tip!) for a wrap-up of all nominated chef’s with kitchens around Atlanta.  And for the full list of semi-finalists across the nation, click here (PDF).

Photos ripped from the restaurants’ respective websites.

According to her website, Scott Peacock is the featured chef on The Martha Stewart Show today.

Watch the episode and get Scott’s great-grandmother’s recipe for Chicken and Dumplings.  Or just click this link!

InDecatur notes that Wordsmiths Books will have a fireside chat with Watershed’s Scott Peacock and Martha Stewart Living kitchen director Virginia Willis on December 15th at 2pm.

But that’s not all!

Wordsmiths has a whole day of events planned, including an Art Show, music by Wayne Fishell, and a book signing by Peacock to close out a great first year.

Click the continuation for the full release.

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