Three Atlanta Women Just Named Major Influencers in Southern Food

New Deputy (and Food) Editor at Atlanta Magazine
Mara Shalhoup is IN as Atlanta Magazine’s deputy editor. In addition to her editor duties, Shalhoup will also oversee the magazine’s food coverage as current editor Julia Bainbridge is stepping down to pursue other projects. Shalhoup is no stranger to Atlanta. She was with Creative Loafing for nine years and became its editor-in-chief (EIC) in 2010. Shalhoup was also the EIC for the atl-weekly newspapers Chicago Reader and, most recently, for L.A. Weekly. Shalhoup said of her return to Atlanta via Twitter, “I can’t wait to explore all the wonderful ways in which Atlanta has changed since I left...and to again experience all that made it amazing to begin with.” [ATL MAG]

Atlanta and Georgia women representing
On Wednesday, Southern Living revealed its picks for the 30 Women Moving Southern Food Forward. Among the list were Back in the Day Bakery and cookbook author Cheryl Day of Savannah, Judith Winfrey, president of the South’s answer to Blue Apron, PeachDish, chef, biscuit whisperer, and food blogger Erika Council (aka Southern Soufflé), Osayi Endolyn, formerly of Atlanta Magazine and current deputy editor for Southern Foodways Alliance, and chef/owner of The Grey in Savannah Mashama Bailey. [Southern Living]

Southern chef wins Iron Chef Showdown
Ok, so technically this is Atlanta-adjacent news but it's still a win for the South. Chef David Bancroft of Acre in Auburn, Alabama brought down Iron Chef and restaurateur Jose Garces Wednesday night. The show, hosted by Atlanta’s own Alton Brown, pitted Bancroft and his team against Garces in Kitchen Stadium. As with all Iron Chef reveals, there was the dramatic pause by Chairman Mark Dacasco before Bancroft was revealed to be the winner by two points over Garces. Bancroft has often participated at events for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. [Food Network]

ICYMI
The latest Eater Atlanta neighborhood guide is out. Check out where to eat and drink in Downtown Atlanta.