Alexandria Resident to Compete on 'Top Chef' Anthony Jones, a native of Sunderland, Maryland, will compete on Season 23 of Bravo’s Top Chef, which premieres Monday, March 9 at 9 p.m. ET. The show, set in the Carolinas, will center on Charlotte, N.C., with episodes also filmed in Greenville, S.C. Jones, who now resides in Alexandria, is one of the standout chefs in the competition, bringing a unique blend of culinary influences to the table. Growing up surrounded by food, Jones credits his early experiences with shaping his approach to cooking. "I think those memories help me even now to create and express myself," he said. "I always loved the holidays, not because of the gifts, but due to the meals attached to them. Thanksgiving was definitely a favorite." His passion for food has evolved into a professional career, where he now focuses on incorporating elements from the Black Diaspora into his dishes. As executive chef at Marcus DC, a restaurant led by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson in Washington, D.C., Jones describes his role as a mentorship-driven position. "He knows me pretty well and at this point, we know how to work with each other and the strengths and weaknesses of the other." Jones’ signature dish, "Mel’s Crab Rice," reflects his love for summertime traditions. "I always had a love for rice growing up whether it was sweet or savory. In the summertime boiling and eating crabs on the picnic table outside was the best reward we could get for being good," he explained. This dish, which embodies his connection to childhood memories, is a standout in his culinary repertoire. Before joining Marcus DC, Jones served as chef de cuisine at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria during its final year of operation in 2018.#alexandria #anthony_jones #sunderland_maryland #marcus_dc #top_chef
‘No active threat’: Lockdown lifted at Fort Polk A lockdown was lifted at Fort Polk this afternoon. The base’s main gate was locked down, preventing anyone from entering or exiting. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft confirmed to KALB in Alexandria that there was no immediate danger on the base. He stated that reports of a shooting there were not credible, and the installation is resuming normal operations. All entrances are now open and functioning, with no threat to the public. Officials did not release further details about the investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.#fort_polk #vernon_parish #sam_craft #kalb #alexandria
