Georgia Blueberry Comm. Teams up with Celebrity Chef

The Georgia Blueberry Commission has introduced celebrity chef Hugh Acheson as its new ambassador for 2013’s promotional and educational campaign during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference.

The Commission kicked off the new year with Acheson, who met with fruit and vegetable growers, vendors and suppliers during the annual conference in Savannah, Ga. Acheson will also make television appearances to promote the health benefits of Georgia Blueberries.

“With the 2013 season on the horizon, we are thrilled to have Hugh Acheson help promote our locally grown blueberries,” said Joe Cornelius, chairman of the Georgia Blueberry Commission. “As our promotional and educational campaign launches into gear, we look forward to expanding consumer exposure with Hugh’s assistance.”

Acheson, who is the chef and partner of Athens, Ga.-based restaurants Five and Ten and The National, and Atlanta-based Empire State South, has received a James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast and was named Best Chef by Food & Wine Magazine. Acheson competed in Season three of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef Masters” and is currently a judge for the popular “Top Chef” television show.

In 2009, the Georgia Department of Agriculture formed the Georgia Blueberry Commission as a program to support research, education and promotion on behalf of the state’s growers.