Eat, Drink and Be Merry at Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
With more than 100 seminars, demonstrations and panel discussions from a who’s who of culinary talent (250 from 14 states), the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is three days of foodie heaven. The brainchild of Dominque Love and Elizabeth Feichter, who hit on the idea after attending the famed Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, the event is the only food festival in the country to celebrate the South all its culinary bounty. Here’s the low down on filling up.
Classes & Demos:
The wines of Portugal, Missississippi on the grill, culinary-inspired beers, BBQ crab, free-range duck, raw chocolate desserts from Patagonia and Florida “Cracker” cuisine (derived from Scottish-Irish settlers in the back woods of Florida in the 1700s) are just some of the unique classes you can sign up for this year. Also on the agenda: cocktail demonstrations, technique labs and blind tastings.
Tasting Tents:
Enjoy food and drink from more than 100 award-winning chefs. Themed tasting “trails” are designed to take guests on a culinary exploration of the South. Examples including craft beer, bourbon, chicken, seafood, pork, sandwiches nad more—just pick a path and dig in. Friday from 3-6 pm, Saturday from 2:30-5:30 pm.
Connoisseur Experience:
Geared to serious foodies, this program offers reserve food and beverage classes and tastings, and access to a super-fancy Connoisseur Lounge created by award-winning Atlanta designer William Peace. It's pricey, but worth it.
More Foodie Fun:
When the tents are closed, the celebration continues at dinners and Southern-style soirees. On the calendar are Pig Out: Coastal Style, a seafood feast at JCT Kitchen & Bar May 29; an About South dinner at the Atlanta History Center May 30; A tribute dinner to Southern Farmers May 31; and Rathbun’s Watch List Party May 31.
Tickets & Info:
The festival is May 29-June 1 in Midtown. Key Locations include the Loews Atlanta Hotel (11th and Peachtree), site of all classes and the Conoisseur Lounge; and Tasting Tents (12th St. & Peachtree Walk). Admission to the Tasting Tents is $100; festival day passes start at $185. The Connoisseur Experience, aimed at serious foodies with special food, access, classes and a Connoisseur Lounge is $700 a day. Guests must be 21 or older. All events take place rain or shine.
