Real Estate News, Georgia

Currahee Club Chef Wins People's Choice Award

top foodie communities
Published on February 14, 2018

When it comes to preparing exquisite cuisine only a seasoned chef can create a meal that overwhelmingly pleases a crowd.  Donald E. Sedivy, Jr., Executive Chef at the prestigious Currahee Club on Lake Hartwell in Toccoa, Georgia did just that by receiving top honors at the recently held 4th Annual Northeast Georgia’s Top Chef and Wine Tasting Competition benefitting “Prevent Child Abuse Habersham” (PCAH).  Chef Sedivy was voted the “Top Chef” from the 300 food enthusiasts who attended the event held at the Yonah Mountain Vineyards.  It is quite the honor to be recognized in the People’s Choice Award category and Donald is to be commended for his superlative culinary performance at the event.  The fundraiser was a huge success raising $33,000 to continue the heroic efforts of PCAH in the prevention of child maltreatment in the community.

In addition to this most recent honor, Chef Sedivy was also inducted into the American Academy of Chefs® (AAC), and the honor society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) which is the leading membership affiliation for chefs in North America.  With over 45 years in the food service business, Donald has won numerous awards throughout the course of his career and he proudly serves in his role of Executive Chef at Currahee Club which is one of the best golf communities in Georgia. Members enjoy exquisite regional cuisine, fresh produce grown in their own community garden, entertaining “guest chefs”, wine tastings, and fun-filled foodie events year-round. Good food and wine are synonymous with the country club lifestyle offered at Currahee Club.

Besides its exceptional culinary reputation, Currahee Club is also known as one of the most beautiful gated communities in Georgia. The 1,200-acre development is nestled in the foothills of the majestic Appalachian Mountains and sits along the shoreline of Lake Hartwell. Maintaining the captivating scenery of the region was a top priority when creating this mountain retreat that offers impressive amenities, southern architectural designs and a lifestyle full of adventure and activity just an hour north of Atlanta.

In 2015, Currahee Club was recognized by us as the “Best Georgia Community of the Year” here are a few reasons why. The award-winning Currahee Club 18-hole championship golf course was specifically designed to incorporate the natural topography and to provide panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains that surround the region.  Through innovation and expertise, the highly acclaimed golf course architect Jim Fazio created a spectacular golf course design.

Named as one of the “Best Residential Courses” in 2012 by Golfweek, the greenway incorporates rolling fairways with the natural elevations to create a challenging yet picturesque golfing experience.  The Lake Hartwell golf course has received numerous accolades over the years. Currahee Club sets the standard when it comes to “living life to the fullest”.

After a round of golf, members love to relax at the impressive 48,000 square-foot Clubhouse that is strategically built on the highest elevation of the property.  On a clear day, folks view three neighboring states and spectacular mountain ranges while enjoying a delicious meal and a nice crisp glass of wine from a local Georgia winery.

The Mountain Lodge motif is inviting and is accented with high vaulted ceilings, stone fireplaces and well-designed formal and casual dining areas both inside and out.  There are four distinctive dining venues offered at Currahee Club; The Overlook for formal “Southern Living Style” dining, Fazio Pub for a tasty lunch or before dinner drinks by the fireplace and during season The Turnhouse by the driving range and the Canoe Bar & Grill at the Sports Center are excellent choices for lunch and refreshing beverages after a brisk workout.

Under the direction of the “Top Chef” winner, Donald E. Sedivy, Jr. regional farm-to-fresh dishes are prepared with the utmost of care to satisfy the discerning palates of club members. To add flair to the dining experience, guest chefs are invited throughout the year to showcase their specialties and weekly dinner themes are fun and a great way to socialize with neighbors.  Whether it’s a “Fish Fry”, Father/Daughter dinner, “Gone Greek”, or “Ragin Cajun” night, there is always something happening at the Club.  This is the hub for members and guests which contributes to the warm and friendly atmosphere found here.  Currahee Club is well known for their culinary prowess and in 2016 was awarded “Best Culinary Events” by Ideal Living.  This sophisticated and highly social mountain community offers something for everyone.

Staying active is always a priority for boomers and there is certainly plenty to do at this mountain retreat.  The 5-acre Currahee Club Sports Complex offers a fully equipped Wellness Center, a saltwater swimming pool complete with patios, fire pits and poolside dining, tennis courts, bocce ball, a volleyball court and half basketball court for active family fun.  There is also a kiddie play lot for the little ones.

Growing veggies, herbs and flowers at Currahee’s community garden is a great way to stay healthy and enjoy time with fellow residents. The successful gardening club even offers its own Farmer’s Market twice annually for locals to enjoy.

Currahee’s Grand Lawn offers the ideal spot to frolic with grandkids, share a picnic lunch, enjoy an outdoor concert or simply sit back and sip a glass of wine from a local Georgia winery while admiring the scenery.  For hikers, there are 1.5 miles of trails designated to explore the natural surroundings while breathing in fresh mountain air or folks can walk the golf course early in the morning or late in the day. Only a short distance away, zip lining, white water rafting or maybe horseback riding are fun ways to spend the day.

The pacifying waters of Lake Hartwell provides the perfect playground for outdoor activities.  Currahee Lake Park is an ideal spot for anglers to throw in the line hoping to snag some delicious striped bass at the covered community boat dock.  For those who like adventure, kayaking is highly popular and provides excellent exercise while enjoying the preserved natural landscaping and wildlife species that inhabit the area.  Kayaks are readily available for residents to use at the park and hammocks provide the perfect place to relax after an ambitious outing.  Swimming in the lake is also fun and exhilarating for water lovers providing endless hours of summer entertainment. Boating is yet another past time that residents can enjoy whether its floating on a pontoon, sailing across the lake or just enjoying a sunset cruise through the glorious terrain, life is a dream at this amazing master planned community.

Home shoppers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big city living, can find tranquility at Currahee Club. The superb craftsmanship of the master builders is apparent in the meticulously designed homes that have become the signature at Currahee Club.  Waterfront, golf or mountain home sites are still available and offer incredible investment opportunities for living in this mountain oasis.  Whether it is a summer getaway retreat or a sprawling waterfront estate, the options are endless.  The architectural styles found in this charming mountain community reflect English Cottage, Craftsman, and Mountain Rustic.

There are four highly reputable Currahee Club approved master builders to choose from making the home building experience seamless; Arthur Rutenberg, Currahee Home Builders, Oakbrook Homes and Dillard-Jones Builders.  Home sites can be found starting in the $80k’s and homes for sale begin in the $400k’s.   

Currahee Club is conveniently located between Atlanta, Georgia and Greenville, South Carolina making it easy to access large cultural event and sporting venues. The quaint historic towns of Toccoa and Clarksville nearby provide specialty shops, antique malls, delicious local cuisine, art galleries, live music and festivals.  The region is also known as the wine country. Currahee Vineyards is a favorite Georgia winery.

Come explore one of the best golf communities in Georgia this spring, the Currahee Club in Toccoa. The Annual Wine Highway Week sponsored by the Winegrowers Association of Georgia will be held Friday, March 16th through Sunday, March 25th.  Visit the wineries, enjoy the scenery and experience the lifestyle offered living in the mountains of Northeast Georgia.  The event features tastings at the many award-winning wineries that are scattered throughout the region.  For a $50 fee, each participant will receive a “Wine Highway Week” collectors’ glass and a passport which will provide admission to all participating wineries at no additional charge.  Great food, superb wine and live music will add to this spectacular event.

The change of season in the spring is magical with budding trees, blooming azaleas and cascading waterfalls.  Schedule a round of play at the Lake Hartwell golf course, plan a hiking trip, fish for striped bass, boat along the pristine coastline and enjoy the luxuries offered living at this amazing master planned community. Take the time to explore the majestic landscaping, the community garden, the Clubhouse, and tour the impressive homes and naturally preserved homesites still available.  The Spring Discovery Package at the Currahee Club provides all the perks that residents enjoy plus cozy accommodations for its guests.  One visit and you will never want to leave this paradise found in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Call Currahee Club directly at 706-827-1000 to schedule a tour.