Acclaimed chef, cookbook author and TV host Gerry Garvin (aka G. Garvin) is most widely known for his television series, Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin, which ran for seven seasons on TV One. The shows increasing popularity earned the talented artist a second series on the same network entitled G. Garvin: The Road Tour, which premiered in 2007. Garvin also appeared in a Cooking Channel special, Georgia Roadtrip with G. Garvin. He is Americas most down-to-earth chef, and his claim to fame is showing everyday cooks how to keep it simple with a Southern twist.&amp;nbsp;His impressive resume and philanthropic efforts have warranted such accolades as the 2007 Man of the Year award by Women Moving Forward in Business and Third Best TV Chef by Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine in 2006 (behind Jacques Pepin and Emeril Lagasse). Additionally, Garvin has been a popular guest on both The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Good Morning America. &amp;nbsp;Garvin&amp;rsquo;s success as a chef, author, entrepreneur and television host did not happen overnight. The Atlanta native began building his culinary repertoire during childhood. His earliest experience came with cutting and peeling vegetables alongside his mother in the kitchen of Atlanta&amp;rsquo;s Jewish Home for the Aging.&amp;nbsp;Being raised by a single mother and surrounded by four sisters, the determined 13-year-old Garvin traded after-school football practice for a job at The Old Vinings Inn in Atlanta, soaping dishes while soaking up the inner workings of a high-end kitchen operation. Two years later, he became the youngest cook at the downtown Ritz-Carlton, where he worked after school and during the summer.&lt;br /&gt;
