Atlanta Food and Wine Festival

Returning to the Empire City of the South for its eighth year, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival brings together more than 150 chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and pitmasters from Texas to Washington, DC, to transform Midtown Atlanta into a hub of Southern food and beverage talent.

This year, the festival is proud to feature an all-female advisory council comprised of sixty female industry professionals from around the South to guide programming and highlight the important role women play in the culinary industry.

Kick off the weekend with a culinary road trip at the festival’s annual opening night party, Destination Delicious, presented by the Local Palate. Experts from each region have curated this experience to take you on a tasting journey filled with must-have bites and beverages inspired by favorite regional destinations.

On Saturday night, keep the party going with the Local Palate at Beat the Heat: Hot, Fried & Saucy. You’ll sample fried chicken from chefs around the South, including John Lasater, Erik Niel, Margot McCormack, and Ryan Rogers. Their interpretation’s of the Southern staple will be complimented by Louisiana-based Crystal Hot Sauce, a favorite among chefs and the official hot sauce of the evening. Cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and craft beer from Athens, Georgia, brewery Creature Comforts will be available to cleanse your palate between bites.

Balance your evening festivities with the weekend’s line-up of daytime learning experiences ranging from Master Studios—analyzing the effect of global cultures on Southern food—to Flights & Bites, where guests will taste everything from delicate digestifs to full-bodied reds.

The Local Palate’s 300 Years Young: San Antonio & New Orleans explores the food cultures of two cities, which both celebrate their tricentennial this year. Led by chefs Steve McHugh, Neal Bodenheimer, and Michael Gulotta, who are considered ambassadors of their cities, the seminar will give guests a taste of the cultures that made these melting pots the culinary hotspots they are today.

Appalachian Revolution, also brought to you by the Local Palate, delves into the deep culinary traditions that have inspired a resurgence of this region’s farm-to-table fare, explored by chefs Travis Milton and William Dissen.

Be sure to save room on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday afternoon to visit the tasting tents in Piedmont Park for a taste of the South’s top food and drink products.

Whether you attend the multi-course Connoisseur Dinner—where three acclaimed chefs will present dishes inspired by the soundtracks of their kitchens—or cap off the weekend at Sunday’s Brew-zy Brunch, Atlanta Food & Wine gives guests a taste of the rich and diverse culinary traditions of the South.