Ben Wheatley Ben Wheatley graduated magna cum laude from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts - Atlanta on January 13 with an Associate of Occupational Science degree in Culinary Arts.

While at Le Cordon Bleu, Ben was a member of the Le Cordon Bleu Honor Society. He completed his externship at the Inn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn., in December.

For his schooling, Ben was awarded $13,500 in scholarships, most recently a $1,500 American Institute of Wine and Food Deen Terry Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was awarded to Ben on January 15 at the AIWF "Taste the Future" 2007 Gala event in Atlanta.

Ben is the son of former Washington residents, Norman and Marie Wheatley who now reside in Tiger. He is the grandson of Stanley and Katherine Wheatley of Washington and Anthony Smolar and the late Mary Jane Smolar of Melbourne, Fla.

Ben is currently employed at the 5&10 Restaurant in Athens.