Scott Peacock Leaves Watershed
Decatur Metro | February 25, 2010 | 4:44 pmFrom 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.
This news really, really bums me out, but frankly, we should count ourselves lucky to have had Scott in our midst for as long as we did. I wish him luck in all future endeavors, whether Decatur/Atlanta-related or not.
As for Watershed, I’m sure it will keep on keepin’ on. Will be interesting to see what a new executive chef will do with what is already a very successful restaurant.
I just told my husband this news, and he asked, “Was it because he got sick of those uncomfortable chairs?”
In all seriousness, this is a bummer for Decatur. It was always my trump card to prove to my NY-SF-Chicago-LA friends that Decatur was a “Somewhere”.
Those are definitely some uncomfortable chairs!
His leaving is a big loss to our dining scene, but not unexpected given the trend in Atlanta metro.
There’s some other really fine fried chicken in the area. It’s excellent at Steinbeck’s these days and at the Kirkwood Public House. On the West Side, Ford Fry at JCT Kitchen gives Watershed a run for its money, and they have it every night (it sells out quickly, though).
It was time for him to go.
We had the best meal both of us have ever EVER had there not a month ago. I can’t help but think Watershed will continue to do well, even without Scott.
I wish Scott the best. Watershed will continue to do well. The cooks will continue to prepare great food and the new head chef will come with creative and great ideas.
It’s not like he was back there doing any actual cooking anyway.
Easy on the salt, Scott.
Haha! That was always my one complaint about the food!
A great way to mourn our loss of Scott is to pick up his excellent cookbook, The Gift of Southern Cooking, co-authored by Edna Lewis. It’s basically life changing.
What about Brain Jones taking the main chef position? I think he has been handling day to day cooking/operations for a long time and especially when Scott is out of town. I hope they look at the great staff they have already. Best of Luck to Watershed and Scott.
OMG: “Mourn the loss” and “life changing” ???
Only in Decatur would one read such statements.
How about a fundraiser for a statue to be erected?
This is Sarcastic Monday isn’t it? OOPS! Wrong blog.
Back to your mourning and adoration.
I didn’t intend my comment to be read quite as earnestly as all that! Only in Decatur does one find such irritable posters. Gosh.
True Cate, so watch yourself ;P
Am I about to be the recipient of a famed DecaturMetro blogosphere beatdown?
Yes, Cate, but watch out because they might also track you down in real-life to soak you in brine for 12 hours and then in buttermilk for another 12 before frying in lard and ham. It’s worse than tarring and feathering, but much more tasty.