Executive Chef John Metz Commencement Speaker for The Art Institute of Atlanta Graduation

ATLANTA (GA) – Executive chef and restaurateur John Metz will be the keynote speaker at The Art Institute of Atlanta commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at 11:30 am at the Georgia World Congress Center.

A graduate of Penn State University and the Culinary Institute of America, Metz has nearly three decades of restaurant and hospitality experience.  Metz’s laudable career includes stints with some of the finest restaurants in New York, such as The 21 Club, Tribeca Grill, and Park Avenue Café.  He is currently the executive chef and co-owner of Marlow’s Tavern, Aqua Blue Restaurant & Bar, and Hi Life Kitchen & Cocktails, all based in Atlanta.  In addition, Metz is the president of Greazy Spoon Development Company, a restaurant consulting firm, and Sterling Spoon Management Services, a full-service contract foodservice company.  Metz’s food and restaurant concepts have been featured in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Restaurant Business Magazine, and Nations Restaurant News.

The June Commencement Ceremony recognizes the academic achievement of summer and fall quarter graduates.  Approximately 240 students from The Art Institute of Atlanta are candidates for bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of science, or associate in arts degrees, as well as diplomas.