HOSTED Series by Southbound Food Festival
In the Field
HOSTED Series by Southbound Food Festival
As part of the 2026 Southbound Food Festival, organizers are excited to announce the return of the HOSTED Series – a ten-day collection of chef collaborations, pop-ups, cultural events, and community gatherings taking place across Birmingham during the festival, September 18–27.
While Southbound’s signature ticketed events remain the centerpiece of the festival, the HOSTED Series extends the celebration into restaurants, bars, cafés, farms, theaters and gathering spaces throughout the city, inviting guests to experience Birmingham’s food culture where it happens every day.
Featuring more than 25 unique events, this year’s lineup showcases an exciting mix of guest chef collaborations, limited-time menus, beverage experiences and brand-new programming designed to celebrate the many ways food brings people together.
Exciting new additions for the 2026 series include an Oktoberfest HOSTED kick-off party at Pepper Place; a daily Conversation Hour featuring intimate discussions with chefs, authors and culinary leaders; a screening of the documentary Shellbound followed by a panel discussion and reception with the makers and farmers; a pop-up at Highlands Bar; the inaugural Birmingham Coffee Fest and more.
Throughout the week, some of Birmingham’s most celebrated restaurants – including Pizza Grace, Lapeer Steak & Seafood, Armour House, La Fête, Bayonet, Helen, The Essential, Current Charcoal Grill, Golden Age Wine Garden, Closers at Lucky Stranger, Salud, Ralph’s Listening Room and others – will welcome acclaimed visiting chefs from around the country for one-night-only collaborations and special menus.
Stay on Schedule 
Thursday, Sept. 17
– The Magic Ingredient: Opening Reception | 5 PM
All Week
– Roscoe Hall Art Exhibit at Bayonet
– Mary Fehr Photo Exhibit at Pepper Place: The Magic Ingredient
Sunday, Sept. 20
– Fourth Annual Oktoberfest at Son of a Butcher | 1-5 PM
– Pizza Grace x Chef Michael Hanna of St. Vito | 5-9 PM
Monday, Sept. 21
– Southbound Story & Conversation Hour presented by IACP: Ivy Odom | 5-6 PM | $25 ticket
– An Evening at Sidewalk Cinema: ShellBound: An Anthology of Southern Oyster Culture | 5:30 PM | $20 ticket
Watch the film that pulls back the curtain on oysters in the American South—from the farmers who cultivate them to the chefs who bring them to the table. Discover the traditions, challenges, and communities shaping the region’s oyster industry today. Featuring a reception with shucked oysters, a cash bar, and a post-screening conversation with: Filmmaker Daniel Mitchell, BLK ELK; Oyster Farmer Callie Robinson Hyde, Steamboat Oysters; Chef Ryan Prewitt, Pêche Seafood Grill; Moderated by Erin Byers Murray, Editor in Chief, The Local Palate.
Produced by The VAL Group and Elixir Studio in partnership with Oyster South and Create Birmingham.
Tuesday, Sept. 22
– Southbound Story & Conversation Hour presented by IACP: speaker TBD | 5-6 PM | $25 ticket
– Armour House x Chef Ryan Yokley
– Lapeer Steak and Seafood x Slims
Wednesday, Sept. 23
– Southbound Story & Conversation Hour presented by IACP: speaker TBD | 5-6 PM | $25 ticket
– Shake and Bake Bloc Party: Last Call x June x Continental Drift x Full Circle | 5 PM
– Bayonet x Roscoe Hall Art Show & Tuna Tasting Dinner | 5:30 PM | $225 ticket
– Sea Bar x Present Tense
– La Fete x Chef Alex Eaton
Thursday, Sept. 24
– Salud x Chef Luis Martinez | 11 AM
– Southbound Story & Conversation Hour presented by IACP: speaker TBD | 5-6 PM | $25 ticket
– Highlands x babas: Aperitivo at the bar | 5-7 PM | $95 ticket
– Automatic Seafood x Pig Beach BBQ | $ ticket price TBA
– Lovelight Under the Stars: Chef Rob McDaniel x Chef Bill Briand | 6 PM | $125 ticket
– Southbound Social at The Kelly | 6-10 PM
Friday, Sept. 25
– The Essential x Chef Chaz Lindsay of Pulito Osteria | 11 AM
– Southbound Story & Conversation Hour presented by IACP: speaker TBD | 5-6 PM | $25 ticket
– Current Charcoal Grill x Chef Sam Fore
– Golden Age Wine Garden x Pat Martin
Saturday, Sept. 26
– Birmingham Coffee Fest benefiting Lakeshore Foundation at the Market at Pepper Place | 8 – 11 AM
– Closers at Lucky Stranger x Turkey and the Wolf x Christine Lau
– Ralph’s Listening Room x Fresas Speakeasy
Sunday, Sept. 27
Bygones x Chef Richard Neal | 6-10 PM
Unless it is noted that an event requires a ticket, HOSTED events are open to the public and can be enjoyed simply by making a reservation with the participating restaurant or attending the featured experience. For full details, reservation and ticket links, please visit our website.
“The HOSTED Series has become one of the most exciting parts of Southbound because it allows our local restaurants and businesses to create something completely unique alongside incredible guest chefs and partners,” said Rebecca Gann, Programming Director of Southbound Food Festival. “It gives visitors a chance to experience Birmingham’s hospitality in an authentic way while creating collaborations that simply couldn’t happen anywhere else.”
Southbound does not take revenue from HOSTED events. The series is designed to support local businesses, foster meaningful collaborations and encourage festival guests to explore Birmingham’s vibrant culinary community throughout the week.
A full schedule of HOSTED events, participating chefs and reservation or ticketing information is available at SouthboundFoodFest.com
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