Basil, was part of a litter that was rescued from under a mobile home in North Georgia and was adopted from the Cherokee County Animal Shelter. Chef Derek Dollar's favorite herb is basil, so it was obvious that when he met the puppy they were meant to be together. Basil is a Chug, a Chihuahua and Pug mix. "He was just 3 pounds and the cutest little puppy," Derek says.
Derek is executive chef and managing partner at The Mill Restaurant in Roswell. With his culinary career now spanning over two decades, he has gained a reputation as an inventive and uncompromising chef who demands the very best and keeps his own plate quite full in the process. In addition to the traditional executive chef responsibilities, he has experimented in horticulture with the goal of restaurant sustainability, along with staff and guest education on the importance of local partnerships with farmers and how to utilize garden bounties and hyper local ingredients each night. Because of this, in 2017 Chef Dollar was chosen by Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia Gary Black to join the Georgia Grown Executive Chef team for his outstanding contributions to the sustainable dining practices he utilizes in his menu planning. With this honor, Chef Derek, along with other well-known Atlanta chefs, traveled to cook and represent the South at a James Beard House series showcasing Southern chefs who specialize in utilizing local ingredients.
Margaux, a rescue, was about 5 months old when she was found on the street and brought to the shelter. Jocelyn Dubuke fell in love with her from the second they met. "She just climbed into my arms and cuddled me. She’s still my love bug," says Jocelyn, the chef and owner of JARDÍ chocolates. Hermie is a half-sibling of one of Jocelyn’s farmers market regulars. "He’s an absolute Velcro dog. If I’m sitting down he needs to be in my lap. If my hands are free, they need to be petting him,” says Jocelyn. Hermie is also a great adventurer. He loves to go kayaking and paddle boarding on weekends.
Jocelyn is known for creating desserts using fresh, local ingredients, and unique flavor combinations that always wow her guests. In 2015 Jocelyn decided to open JARDÍ, a chocolate shop in Atlanta. JARDÍ brings the same dedication and wow-factor to the world of chocolate confections, using local ingredients whenever possible, and never any preservatives, additives, or food dyes. Available at The Open Mind Center, 1425 Market Boulevard, Suite 500, Roswell.
"He’s an absolute Velcro dog. If I’m sitting down he needs to be in my lap."