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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 08 > Entry
Rathbun not a whole-hearted Falcons fan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, September 06, 2008
In Food & Wine magazine’s brand-new 2008 NFL Talking Pigskin online preview, Atlanta chef Kevin Rathbun has been selected to represent his hometown and to whip up a culinary creation worthy of the Atlanta Falcons, his hometown team.
Thankfully, the man who recently won “Iron Chef America” by using elk stops short of using an actual falcon in his recipe.
Instead, Rathbun tempts readers with a recipe for roast squab with bacon and grapes (the Rathbun’s chef’s secret weapon: two tablespoons of crushed juniper berries).
In addition to cooking for the Falcons front office personnel and supporting the NFL’s Taste of the NFL charity, Rathbun (a recovering Kansas City Chiefs fan, he admits) tells FoodandWine.com: “I kind of represent the Falcons now. The coach [Mike Smith] comes to my restaurant a lot. I’ve met the coach and the owner [Arthur Blank]. I like football in general —- people in the restaurant business just seem to keep up with it.”
Rathbun concedes he has a bit of trouble getting in the spirit on game day.
“I’m the size of a house; they don’t really make [Falcons] shirts 4XL. I’d probably have to sew two together.”
So far, the chef is right on the money with the predictions he made for the Falcons in the foodie publication. For example, he said rookie Matt Ryan would get the nod as starting quarterback.
Alas, when asked who he’ll be rooting for when the Chiefs roll into the Georgia Dome this season, Rathbun told Food & Wine: “Well, I’ll cheer for the Falcons because they recognize me in the stands, but underneath I’ll probably be hoping the Chiefs pummel them. I will definitely do Kansas City barbecue for the tailgate!”
As of deadline Friday, diehard Falcons fans had yet to flip Rathbun a, well, dirty bird.
Transitions
Reporter/anchor Jaquitta Williams is leaving WSB-TV Sept. 12 after four years at the station and 20 years in the TV news business. And yes, her recent bout with breast cancer was a factor.
“When I came back from my cancer journey in January, I was different,” she told Buzz Friday. “I wanted my life to be more enjoyable. I wanted to do other things.”
While thinking about staying or going, she looked for signs. She found two: her BlackBerry stopped working, then her laptop was stolen out of the WSB-TV van while she covered a church fire.
Ultimately, she had nothing but good things to say about WSB itself and was appreciative that they let her tell her breast cancer story on air. (Essence magazine has a story about her in October’s issue.)
Williams said she has a new job lined up but, out of respect for WSB, won’t reveal what it is until after she leaves.
Better yet, she noted: “I am cancer-free. My last mammogram in August was clean. I’m in a wonderful place. I’m so excited!”
Meanwhile, DJ Kaedy Kiely starts her gig at 97.1/The River as morning host on Sept. 18. The station is not personality-focused, and the morning show is heavily music-oriented. But Kiely has tons of experience and will be the primary presence at community events. She’ll contribute music news and interviews to the Web site.
Jackson adds muscle to Witchu
Part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson announced Friday that hip-hop innovator LL Cool J will join her upcoming Rock Witchu tour. The Live Nation-produced tour begins Sept. 10 at the GM Place in Vancouver, with LL Cool J joining on Sept. 25 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. The Rock Witchu tour will coincide with the release of Ladies Love Cool James’ 13th album, “Exit 13,” set for release on Sept. 9. The pair will hit Philips Arena Oct. 5. For info: www.livenation.com.
Celebrity birthdays
Today: Singer-bassist Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) is 65. “Pushing Daisies” actress Swoosie Kurtz is 64. Comedian-actress Jane Curtin is 61. Alpharetta comedian Jeff Foxworthy is 50. Actor-comedian Michael Winslow (“Police Academy”) is 50. Singer Macy Gray is 38. Rapper Foxy Brown is 29.
Sunday: Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins is 78. Singer Gloria Gaynor is 59. Singer Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders is 57. Actor Michael Emerson (“Lost”) is 54.
HIGH FIVE
Television
The Top On Demand programs for the week of Aug. 25-31 as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
Bow Wow, “Marco Polo,” music video, Music Choice
Lil’ Wayne, “A Milli,” music video, Music Choice
Big Kuntry King, “Da Baddest,” music video, Music Choice
Yung Berg, “The Business,” music video, Music Choice
“I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” movie, HBO
Courtesy: Rentrak’s OnDemand Essentials
COUPLING
So which column do People magazine editors comb through to learn about the latest in young love? Buzz, natch. In the celebrity weekly’s “Scoop” page, People is reporting on the budding romance between dreamy teens Jonas Brother Joe Jonas and singer Taylor Swift. The glossy credits us with first reporting on Swift dancing near the soundboard during the trio’s set when they played Lakewood Amphitheatre Aug. 20.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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