Teaming with Levy, the hospitality partner of State Farm Arena, Chef G. Garvin has been tapped to oversee the food delivered throughout the venue. Garvin is a native of Atlanta, Chef G. Garvin, and began his career at Old Vinings Inn at 13 years old.
“As a kid growing up in Atlanta taking the Marta across the city for school and work, it was a real treat to get to watch the Hawks play on the occasional downtime,” said Garvin, adding, “I could never have dreamed of something like this- becoming the Chief Culinary Officer with the Hawks and State farm Arena.”
Career to date
Chef G. Garvin worked under the tutelage of Chef Jean Pierre Dubray before heading to Europe to serve as an apprentice to legendary Chef Jean Pierre Maharebacha. He returned to the states, working as dining room sous chef at Noa Noa in Los Angeles, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at in Beverly Hills and Veni Vidi Vici and Pricci in Atlanta. Moving back to Los Angeles, Chef G. Garvin became executive chef of Morton’s The Steakhouse, and Kass Wine Bar & Restaurant, before partnering with former NFL star KeyShawn Johnson to open Reign Restaurant.
In 2001, he opened his first signature restaurant G. Garvin’s in Los Angeles, where he continued to cater to and host high-profile dinners for clients ranging from former Presidents to Hollywood stars. He launched LowCountry Restaurants in Atlanta, with locations in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and LowCountry Steak in Midtown.
Charitable work
Garvin runs One Bite at a Time Foundation, a charitable organisation which organises a seven-day camp introducing careers in the culinary arts to young adults ages 16-19 from underrepresented communities in Atlanta.
A childhood victim of domestic violence, Garvin also supports Second Harvest, the nation’s largest charitable hunger relief organization, and the Jenesse Center, the oldest domestic violence intervention program in south Los Angeles.
“Chef G. Garvin is a True to Atlanta success story. He has such an incredible passion for food, people, and the city of Atlanta having grown up here. He was the ideal person to partner with, and we are excited about what he will offer our fans with his culinary experience, connections within the industry and expertise in hospitality,” said Steve Koonin, Hawks & State Farm Arena CEO.
