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Aspiring Atlanta chefs find hope as culinary jobs rank among the most

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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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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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.

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“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.”

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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.

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“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.



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Atlanta, GA

Fatal accident closes part of Lakewood Avenue in SW Atlanta

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Fatal accident closes part of Lakewood Avenue in SW Atlanta


Atlanta police investigate a deadly two-vehicle collision that left one person dead and two others critically injured near the 2000 block of Lakewood Avenue SW on Jan. 20, 2026.

Atlanta police say a fatal two-vehicle accident has temporarily shut down part of Lakewood Avenue on Tuesday night. 

What we know:

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The crash happened near the 2000 block of Lakewood Avenue SW. When officers arrived, they found a person who was declared dead on the scene. 

Two other people were taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. 

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The road surrounding the accident remains closed while crews work to clear the scene. 

Traffic cameras show westbound traffic backed up at Lakewood Terrace SE. 

What we don’t know:

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The Atlanta Police Department’s Accident Investigations Unit responded to investigate what led up to the fatal collision. 

Police do not know when the roadway will reopen. 

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This story is breaking. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video, email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia Department of Transportation traffic cameras. 

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Atlanta, GA

Possible shooting reported at downtown Atlanta restaurant

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Possible shooting reported at downtown Atlanta restaurant


Atlanta police are on the scene of a possible shooting at a restaurant in downtown Atlanta. 

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Police officers responded to a “person shot” call at approximately 7:49 a.m. at the restaurant on Marietta Street. 

Atlanta Police Department told FOX 5 Atlanta they are still in the process of gathering information and will update their website when that information is available. 

What we don’t know:

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At this time, it has not been confirmed that someone has been injured.

This is a breaking news story. Information in this story is subject to change. Check back for updates.

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Atlanta, GA

Volunteers honor MLK Day with environmental service across Atlanta

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Volunteers honor MLK Day with environmental service across Atlanta


Hundreds of Atlantans spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day giving back to their community in a way they say reflects the heart of Dr. King’s legacy, by serving side by side in one of the city’s largest urban forests.

More than 600 volunteers gathered at the Utoy Creek Watershed, a 25-acre stretch of urban woodland near Atlanta’s West End owned by the city and maintained by the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance. Volunteers also worked at two additional sites across the city, removing invasive plants, collecting litter, and restoring forest land.

Much of the work focused on pulling out English ivy, an invasive vine known for slowly killing trees, and clearing debris that chokes the forest floor. While environmental cleanup is not often discussed in the context of civil rights, organizers said the service reflects Dr. King’s call to action.

“I think MLK is always really about giving back, especially in any way that you can,” volunteer Therann Schwartz said. “Sometimes people like to think that giving back could be a financial thing, but it can be something as simple as just going out into the woods and taking out some invasive species so other plants can grow.”

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Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks is the co-founder and executive director of the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance

The Utoy Creek Watershed is one of several urban forests the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance protects year-round with the help of volunteers. Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks, the organization’s co-founder and executive director, said the work goes beyond beautification.

“People are connecting to each other,” Jelks said. “Really elevating what Martin Luther King Jr. was about. He was about serving his community, and we’re giving folks an opportunity to engage in that today.”

Environmental work may seem far removed from Dr. King’s legacy, but historians often credit him with helping lay the foundation for the modern environmental justice movement.

On April 3, 1968, Dr. King traveled to Memphis to support striking sanitation workers who were protesting unsafe working conditions and years of neglect. Speaking to the workers that night, King urged them to stay committed, saying, “We’ve got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end.”

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The following day, Dr. King was assassinated. Two weeks later, the workers secured higher pay, union recognition, and safer working conditions.

“Dr. King’s work and his legacy are all about standing up for communities, fighting for communities, and rolling up our sleeves and working side by side,” Jelks said. “Not only to envision, but to make sure we have a sustainable future for generations to come.”



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