Courtesy of Rafterman
The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns September 10-13 with four days of tasting tents, chef appearances, and cooking demonstrations, plus two new events devoted to burgers and fried chicken. Now in its 16th year, the festival is using its expanded schedule to showcase Atlanta’s mix of Southern staples, international influences, and neighborhood favorites.
New this year are two taste-around events devoted to dishes with especially loyal followings: burgers and fried chicken. On Saturday, September 12, Ford Fry hosts Stacked: The Burger Social, a night of creative patties, condiments, toppings, and chef riffs on a classic. Participating chefs include Billy Kramer of NFA Burger and Jonathan and Justin Fox of Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, with tickets priced at $125 for general admission and $155 for early access.
For Fry, the event is a chance to showcase Atlanta’s burger depth in one place. “Atlanta truly has a ton of fantastic burgers, so I jumped at the offer to do it,” he says. “I’m most excited to try Che Butter Jonez, as I keep hearing such good things!”
Another first for the festival is Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair, hosted by Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member, restaurateur, and cookbook author Kelli Potter. Held September 13, the tasting event stretches beyond traditional Southern fried chicken, pairing buttermilk-brined and Nashville hot styles with Korean, Japanese, and other global interpretations. Joshua Denning of Tandoori Pizza & Wing Co. and Theo Mantzikos of Guys’ Fries are among the participating chefs. As with the Burger Social, tickets cost $125 for general admission and $155 for early access.
Courtesy of Rafterman
Beyond the two new marquee tastings, the festival’s expanded Tasting Tents remain the easiest way to see how broadly Atlanta’s dining scene has grown. And, they’re now spread across all four days at The Home Depot Backyard. Each day has its own host and theme, starting Thursday with The Atlanta Standard hosted by Monti Carlo, author of Spanglish and senior editor for food and dining at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The lineup includes Emily James of Miss Conduck and Leonard Yu of Omakase Table.
Friday’s Tasting Tents shift to Flavors of Atlanta, hosted by Andrew Zimmern, with chefs such as Ali Lemma of Ruki’s Kitchen and Vicky Yankomut of Nom Station. On Saturday, caterer Shawn Osbey hosts The Southern Spread, featuring Duane Nutter of Southern National and Cyrei Daniel of Sweet Me Good.
“Atlanta knows how to eat, drink and have a good time, and that’s what makes this festival so much fun,” Osbey says. “You’ve got amazing chefs, great food and people coming together from all over the city.”
On Sunday, Kardea Brown, host of Food Network’s Delicious Miss Brown, leads The Homecoming, a daytime tasting tent that nods to reunion-style cookouts and comfort-driven cooking. Ronald Hsu of Lazy Betty and Rochelle Blackman of A Piece of Me to You are among those appearing.
Courtesy of Rafterman
Single-day tasting tent tickets range from $135 to $205, depending on day and access level. Multi-day passes are available, and tickets may be sold at the door if events have not sold out. All events are limited to guests ages 21 and older.
Also returning is Whiskey & Fire, the festival’s smoke-and-spirit event, held Saturday, September 12, at Guardian Works. Now in its second year, the tasting features wood-fired bites, barbecue, live-fire cooking, and whiskey pours.
If you like to try different foods and drinks and can’t always make it to every new spot when it opens, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival offers a concentrated way to sample the city’s current dining scene in one take.
