Atlanta, GA
Aspiring Atlanta chefs find hope as culinary jobs rank among the most
At a time when workers across industries are wondering whether artificial intelligence could take their jobs, new data shows that some careers remain firmly human. According to an analysis by résumé-writing service Resume Now, which pulled federal numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs rank among the most AI-resistant jobs in the country.
Electricians, plumbers and pipe fitters, forestry workers, and flight attendants also made the list — but for culinary students at Atlanta’s North College & Career Academy, the ranking comes at the perfect moment.
On Wednesday, students stepped into the kitchen for their final exams, preparing restaurant-quality dishes under pressure. For senior Elijah Lowen, that meant plating a garden herb chicken with supreme sauce, mashed potatoes, and sautéed broccoli.
“I think I did pretty good,” he said after finishing his exam. “The only issue is it needed some more salt — but other than that, I think I did pretty good.”
The optimism is backed up by the numbers. Employment for chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7% over the next decade, a rate “much faster than average,” according to federal labor projections. And unlike other industries increasingly adopting automation, food preparation — from technique to creativity — remains difficult for AI to replicate.
Chef Eric Martin, who leads the program and trains the students daily, says many arrived with little to no experience in a kitchen.
“A lot of students came in not knowing how to crack an egg or even hold a knife,” Martin said. “They were fearful of cutting chicken. They’ve worked on these techniques at home, and they’re progressing incredibly.”
The curriculum goes beyond chopping and sautéing. Students learn the cultural, historical, and even religious significance of food — lessons meant to prepare them for real-world kitchens in restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses. Some hope to one day operate their own food trucks.
But excellence comes down to taste. Student Matthew Glover, who prepared a spinach and mushroom quiche for his exam, said the pressure didn’t shake him.
“I didn’t expect everybody to be watching, but I didn’t panic,” he said. “Regardless, I had to get it done. I feel like I did okay.”
Still, local job prospects for chefs have been mixed. Despite strong national growth, Atlanta saw dozens of restaurant closures in 2025, driven by rising food prices, financial strain, and more people opting to eat at home. For those who break in, the work can pay off: the median salary for a head chef in Georgia is nearly $90,000.
For Martin, the reward is watching the next generation grow — and stick with it.
“Just watching them shine and seeing their work ethic,” he said, “I am super, super proud of them.”
As these young chefs prepare both their dishes and their futures, you may soon see their creations on a menu near you.
Atlanta, GA
Man accused of planning to shoot up Atlanta airport preparing to use insanity defense, documents reveal
The man accused of planning a mass shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will attempt to use an insanity defense, new court documents reveal.
Billy Joe Cagle, 49, appeared in federal court on Thursday morning for a pretrial conference hearing to discuss the logistics of future trial dates.
In court documents requesting a competency evaluation filed earlier this week, Cagle’s attorneys say they plan to use an insanity defense. Cagle has already pleaded not guilty to some charges.
Atlanta police arrested Cagle in the Atlanta airport’s South Terminal on Oct. 20, after his family alerted the Cartersville Police Department that he threatened to “shoot up” the airport on a FaceTime call while driving, abruptly ending the call after saying, “I’m at the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat,” prosecutors alleged.
Cagle arrived at the airport in a Chevrolet pickup truck that was parked outside the doors to the terminal. When police went to the vehicle, they found an AR-15 with 27 rounds of ammunition. FBI investigators are working to find out how Cagle obtained the weapon.
After receiving the alert with Cagle’s photo and description, two officers found the Cartersville man walking inside the terminal. Atlanta Police Chief Darren Schierbaum said investigators believe he was scouting the area before he planned to return to his truck and collect his weapon.
Authorities estimate that more than 20 people could have been killed if officers hadn’t been alerted in time.
Cagle is facing federal charges of attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communications containing threats, and possession of a firearm as a felon. He has remained in custody without bond.
“Mr. Cagle was suffering from a mental, psychological, and/or psychiatric condition that would render Mr. Cagle not guilty of the above counts by reason of insanity,” the new court filing reads.
The filing also describes Cagle’s mental condition as “episodic, with periods of stability and instability.”
In the upcoming weeks, Cagle will be evaluated over his mental state during the alleged incident as well as his current mental state to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.
Defense Attorney Preston Halliburton says that Cagle remains in good spirits and has been cooperating with the legal process.
The difficulty of an insanity defense
It has become harder to succeed with an insanity defense since a federal jury found John Hinckley Jr. not guilty by reason of insanity for shooting President Ronald Reagan in 1981. The verdict stoked public skepticism about insanity pleas, leading to tougher federal and state requirements to reach acquittals.
According to Christopher Slobogin, professor of law and psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, insanity defenses are successful is about a quarter of the cases that reach trial. The defenses are much more common in pre-trial agreements, with nearly seven in 10 insanity acquittals occuring in plea deals.
Some states, including Idaho, Kansas, and Montana, have abolished the use of the defense.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Seahawks will travel to Atlanta to take on the 4-8 Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Week 14. The team will wear their white jerseys and pants combination as they aim to win their 10th game of the season.
The all-white uniform combination is one of the team’s least commonly worn road uniform combinations as they have only been worn 21 times since the team debuted them during the 2012 season. Sunday will be the fourth time since the beginning of the 2024 season that these uniforms will be seen in action as they were worn twice last season and once during this season so far. The Seahawks wore this set of uniforms in the Week 6 win at Jacksonville in October.
For more information on the Seahawks’ upcoming matchup at the Falcons, click here.
Live in metro Atlanta? Your next delivery from Walmart may be coming from the sky.
The retailer and automated drone company Wing is launching a new delivery system in metro Atlanta, just in time for the busy holiday shopping period.
Products eligible for the drone delivery include groceries, gifts, household goods, and over-the-counter medicine, the company announced.
Eligible customers can place orders through the Wing app and confirm the delivery location on their property. Once the package is loaded, the drones fly at around 60 mph about 150 feet off the ground. When the drone arrives at the drop-off location, it lowers the package to the ground without any assistance.
The companies estimate that flight delivery time will be about five minutes or less on average.
“Atlanta is a powerhouse in aviation, and we’re bringing the same spirit of speed and efficiency to thousands of Walmart customers across the Metro just in time for the busiest season of the year,” said Heather Rivera, Chief Business Officer at Wing. “This launch is a critical next step in our significant expansion, turning drone delivery from novelty to norm as residents make drone delivery part of their everyday shopping.”
Starting on Wednesday, the service will be available from six Walmart stores around the area:
- Walmart Supercenter #575, 12182 GA-92, Woodstock, GA 30188
- Walmart Supercenter #2475, 1436 Dogwood Dr SE, Conyers, GA 30013
- Walmart Supercenter #3403, 3615 Charles Hardy Pkwy, Dallas, GA 30157
- Walmart Supercenter #618, 4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Pkwy, Hiram, GA 30141
- Walmart Supercenter #3201, 135 Willow Ln, McDonough, GA 30253
- Walmart Supercenter #5252, 4221 Atlanta Hwy, Loganville, GA 30052
Walmart and Wing first launched the partnership in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company is also set to expand its drone deliveries to Houston, Tampa, Orlando, and Charlotte.
You can check your eligibility for the service and download the app at wing.com/walmart.
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