Andreas Georgakopoulos Named Chef de Cuisine at The Woodruff Arts Center's Twelve Eighty -- Inspired Dining

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - October 31, 2016) - Cuisine is yet another art form on display at The Woodruff Arts Center now that Andreas Georgakopoulos has been named Chef de Cuisine of Twelve Eighty. Culture-seekers and foodies alike can experience this exciting lunch and dinner destination in the heart of Atlanta's premier visual and performing arts center.

Chef Andreas, who spent the past decade as executive chef at Atlanta's popular Villa Christina restaurant, has already put in countless hours in his kitchen with talented staff members to develop a new menu for Twelve Eighty that features locally sourced, regionally influenced and seasonal cuisine.

"Chef Andreas has a gift for melding flavors to create perfectly balanced dishes," said John C. Metz, Executive Chef, CEO and co-founder of Sterling Spoon Culinary Management, which operates Twelve Eighty. "He is the perfect talent to ensure that our vision for the culinary program is being executed at a high level for Twelve Eighty and The Woodruff Arts Center to welcome visitors with artfully crafted dishes that captivate their senses. Atlanta is at the forefront of our nation's food scene, and Twelve Eighty is part of that culture."

Delicious new lunch and dinner menu items at Twelve Eighty designed by Chef Andreas and his staff include Spiced Lamb Souvlaki Sliders, Deconstructed Farmer's Vegetable Farro, Lollipop Smoked Chicken Wings, Six-Hour Rosemary Braised Lamb Shank and Maple Bourbon Salmon.

Ready to experience global cuisine with a Southern twist? View the entire menu at twelveeighty.com or at facebook.com/TwelveEighty. Reservations can be made online or by calling 404-897-1280.

A native of Greece, Chef Andreas began working in the culinary industry at the age of 18. As the grandson of a cheesemaker, he grew up in a culinary world full of flavors and aromas. His passion for food brought him to the United States to expand his knowledge and cultivate his craft.

After graduating from California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, CA, Chef Andreas worked as a sous chef at the Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel, as well as other fine establishments in the Los Angeles area. He then worked for Hilton Hotels for a decade, traveling the country to open fine dining restaurants such as Finn & Porter. For the past 10 years, he has served as executive chef at Villa Christina.

About Sterling Spoon Culinary Management

Sterling Spoon Culinary Management combines talented chefs, dedicated employees and outstanding culinary and financial management to provide corporate café and on-site contract management clients extraordinary food and hospitality with an innovative retail restaurant approach. Founded by culinary-trained chefs, Sterling Spoon focuses on fresh, delicious offerings with a contemporary twist. The company's goal is two-fold: to exceed clients' objectives at all times and to offer clients a high-quality, affordable breakfast and lunch experience to their employees and visitors daily at their place of business. For more information, visit sterlingspoon.com.

About The Woodruff Arts Center

The Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Ga. is one of the largest arts centers in the world, home to the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre, the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and the High Museum of Art, the leading art museum in the Southeast. One of the only arts venues in the United States to offer both visual and performing arts on a single campus, The Woodruff produces outstanding theater, music and exhibitions for nearly one million patrons each year. Through the combined efforts of the Alliance, the ASO and the High, The Woodruff also offers remarkable educational programming, with approximately 200,000 students taking part annually, making The Woodruff the largest arts educator in Georgia. www.woodruffcenter.org.