Jason Starnes Is IN as Executive Chef at South City Kitchen Buckhead

Having left The Sun Dial, Jason Starnes is leading the culinary team at South City Kitchen's forthcoming Buckhead outpost. Reps for restaurant confirmed Starnes has been hired as executive chef in a Wednesday announcement.

Starnes took over the kitchen at The Sun Dial in 2014. South City Kitchen cites his "dynamic background, impressive portfolio of media accolades, and overarching passion for local, Southern fare" as reasons bringing the chef on board. Before he became executive chef at the restaurant, Starnes had been serving as The Sun Dial's sous chef since 2012. Justin Mason, who took over as sous chef when Starnes was promoted, is now in charge at the revolving restaurant above the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel.

Fifth Group Restaurants first announced plans for South City Kitchen Buckhead in December 2014, and construction began last June. The restaurant is on track to open this summer in the Capital City Place building at 3350 Peachtree Rd., joining the original South City Kitchen in Midtown that dates back to 1993 and the Vinings outpost that opened in 2006.