Taste of Atlanta Set for September 25-27

One of my favorite moments ever from my favorite food festival ~ Francine Reed belting out "Let the Good Times Roll" with the Mean Chef, Chef Ron Eyester of Rosebud, looking on, and Tom Sullivan taking a break to wet his whistle. This was the Gospel Brunch, and what a time we had.

Lucky me, I only had to wait 11 months for Taste to come back to Midtown at Tech Square. This year it will set up September 25 through 27.

As Atlanta’s only food festival where attendees can find bites and brews from neighborhoods both inside and outside of the perimeter all in one place, Taste of Atlanta is a true representation of the city’s culinary culture. New to the restaurant scene and festival this year, Community Smith, Noble Fin, Southern Gentleman and Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall will make their debuts alongside seasoned restaurant veterans such as Fox Bros Bar-B-Q, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse and Saltyard.

Here's what Chef Eyester had to say in a Taste press release: “Participating in Taste of Atlanta has become somewhat of a tradition for me, and it’s always a privilege to return each year and cook alongside top culinary talent in the city. What I love most about the festival is that it brings together such a diverse mix of chefs and restaurants to celebrate Atlanta’s vibrant food scene.”

To allow attendees to pinpoint local favorites and discover new dining treasures at the festival, participating restaurants will once again be organized by neighborhood. This format takes attendees on a culinary journey through Atlanta and highlights the city’s individual neighborhoods and the restaurants that call them home.

Stay connected to Taste of Atlanta 2015:
• Sign up for the Taste of Atlanta newsletter: www.TasteofAtlanta.com
• Follow Taste on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TasteofAtlanta
• Like Taste on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TasteofAtlanta
• Follow Taste on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/TasteofAtlanta
• Follow Taste on Instagram: www.instagram.com/TasteofAtlanta

I hope to see you at Taste this year. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for more Taste of Atlanta news. Here's hoping for another Gospel Brunch with Francine this year - can I get an "Amen?"

Taste of Atlanta set for October 25 and 26

On Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26, The Chef’s Table and The Kitchen Workshop cooking stages will offer attendees the chance to take epicurean arts into their own hands with direction from none other than the pros. With more than a dozen interactive demos and seminars spread throughout the weekend, attendees of all ages will be whipping up five star recipes like master chefs in no time.

Atlanta’s acclaimed culinary icons will lay all their cards on The Chef’s Table, hosted by Atlanta’s own Tom Sullivan. Guests can pull up a seat in this intimate setting to gain insight from these chefs, as they divulge their culinary journeys and offer expert tips, techniques and (of course) tastes.

Moments from the 2013 Taste of Atlanta/Laura Mercer

2014 Chef’s Table session highlights include:

• Battle of the Burbs: There’s a clash across kitchens, as restaurants from two of Atlanta’s northern burbs gather for a friendly neighborhood rivalry. Featuring Chef Derek Dollar of Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails and Chef Bob McDonough of Little Alley Steaks, the competition will surely spice things up.
• From the Ground Up: Whether attendees take it with cream or steam, this segment – featuring Octane Coffee and Chef Jordan Wakefield of Smoke Ring – is sure to perk them right up as expert Atlanta coffee fiends spill the beans on at-home brewing.
• Shop like a Chef: Explore local culinary haunts through the eyes of Chef Patric Bell of Barrelhouse and Chef Linda Harrell of Cibo E Beve. Attendees will gather insider tips to stock their home kitchens with the best seafood, meats, produce and more.
• Southern Comfort: Y'all listen up! Guests will make room for a meal like mama used to make, as Chef Brian Sonoskus of Tupelo Honey Cafe and Chef EJ Hodgkinson of JCT. Kitchen whip up some good, old Southern cooking.

Opportunities to meet Top Chefs at Taste of Atlanta/Lucy Mercer

The Kitchen Workshop, presented by The Cook’s Warehouse, Le Cordon Bleu and Guy Gunter Home, will school guests in the culinary arts with hands-on cooking tutorials for any level of cooking expertise. Hosted by CNN’s Emmy nominated journalist, Holly Firfer, The Kitchen Workshop features renowned local and national chefs who provide step-by-step instruction for both skilled home cooks and those still learning to boil water. Every participant leaves with a recipe they can make at home and a feather in their toque.

2014 The Kitchen Workshop session highlights include:

• BravoTV Top Chef Season 10 Champion: Kristen Kish, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate who is well known for winning Season 10 of Bravo’s Top Chef, will reveal expert culinary tips and tricks in her demo, “The Secret’s In The Sauce.”
• Wok Shop: Learn the way to wok from Chef George Yu of Makan and have dinner on the table in a flash with this high-heat, quick cooking method!
• Hook, Line and Sinker: Attendees can reel in a fresh shellfish supper and get schooled on sustainable seafood with this former “Chopped” champion, Chef Quentin Donnaud of Coast.
• The Basics to Bon Appétit: Guests can pepper their kitchen with a taste of France, as they learn to prepare the crème de la crème version of bistro classic, French onion soup, from Chef Derek Wood of Vin Vie Bistro.
• Tunisian Turnovers: Don't miss the chance to learn how to make the exotically flavored, simple and versatile Tunisia Brik with Le Cordon Bleu’s Chef Kyle Reynolds.

The Chef’s Table and The Kitchen Workshop at Taste of Atlanta are both open to all festival ticket holders on a first come basis. The Chef’s Table will host segments approximately 30 to 45 minutes each, and The Kitchen Workshop segments will last about 45 minutes each. General admission and VIP tickets are on sale now for $25 and $75, respectively.

Stay connected to Taste of Atlanta 2014:

• Sign up for the Taste of Atlanta newsletter: www.tasteofatlanta.com
• Follow Taste on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tasteofatlanta
• Like Taste on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tasteofatlanta
• Follow Taste on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/tasteofatlanta
• Follow Taste on Instagram: http://instagram.com/tasteofatlanta

Taste of Atlanta 2013

The many delicious bites of Taste of Atlanta 2013. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 A clear and cool October Sunday afternoon was the setting for Taste of Atlanta, a party with 90 of Atlanta's favorite restaurants set up in Midtown at Tech Square. You might assume, as I did for many years, that Taste is a grown-up event, but it's actually great for kids. My teenager enjoyed shooting photographs of food and people, and my 8-year old brought along her "autograph book" and snagged a few celebrity signatures. Both enjoyed trying new foods, from exotic produce like dragonfruit to deep-fried chicken and waffles on a a stick. My designated photographer assembled the collage, above, documenting all the bites from the afternoon.

Here are a few more pictures from our afternoon. I love street festivals where you can walk where there are usually cars.

Taste of Atlanta, Midtown at Tech Square. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 Little Bit tried her hand spinning Whole Foods' wheel of fruit and got a taste of ...

Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Dragonfruit! She did a dance right there in the street, she was so happy!

Dragonfruit. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

In the kids' section, sponsors such as Legos and Dixie Crystals made sure that young ones were entertained with crafts including painting with apple stamps and making necklaces from candy.

Legos/Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Apple stamps. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Apple stamp art. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

In addition to restaurants, many food products were present, including Southern favorite Duke's mayonnaise. Community Coffee gave away copious cups at their cafe.

Duke's Mayonnaise. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Chocolate mousse with salted nut brittle from The Spence. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

A Top Chef and a fan. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The highlight for Little Bit was meeting Top Chef Season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga. The chef kindly signed her notebook and posed for a picture. Looking forward to Taste in 2014!

Text and images copyright 2013. Lucy Mercer.

Taste of Atlanta offers peek inside chefs' world

 

Since its inception in 2002, Taste of Atlanta has served up some of the city’s most anticipated experiences in food and fun. Next weekend, October 26-27, Inside the Food Studio and The Kitchen Workshop return to the festival to give all guests more than just a taste – they will offer an exclusive and interactive look into the culinary craft of the city’s best and brightest chefs. 

Atlanta’s own Tom Sullivan returns for his fourth year as host of the Inside the Food Studio session. This insider experience reveals juicy kitchen secrets and insight into the Atlanta restaurant scene. Session highlights include:

· Hungry at Hartsfield-Jackson: Duane Nutter and Tiffanie Barriere from One Flew South will fly the friendly skies without leaving the tarmac as they tuck into the tastes inside Atlanta's newly renovated Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

· Kitchen Ink: Gain insight – and a taste of chef culinary body art – from impeccably inked locals, including Arianne Fielder from Article 14, Joe Schafer from King + Duke and Zeb Stevenson, who have made their mark on Atlanta’s eccentric dining scene. 

· Dueling Deviled Eggs: Atlanta Chefs Doug Turbush from SEED, Thaddeus Keefe from 1 Kept and E.J. Hodgkinson from JCT Kitchen shell out their best recipes to duel for deviled egg bragging rights.

· Kale and Ale: Drew Van Leuvan from Seven Lamps and Terry Koval from Wrecking Bar Brewpub plan to prove that that kale and beer are a classic pairing.

CNN journalist Holly Firfer will emcee The Kitchen Workshop, which is open to all festival attendees this year. Guests can learn professional cooking techniques and try their hand – or whisk – at whipping up delicious dishes.

2013 Kitchen Workshop session highlights include:

· Soul of the South with Duke’s Mayo: Rosebud’s Ron Eyester pursues what truly defines the food south of the Mason-Dixon.

· Craft Mac & Cheese: America’s favorite comfort food will melt your heart and tempt your taste buds as it gets a grown-up upgrade from Paschals’ Arthur Brown. 

· Bowls of Q – Chilis & Stews: As the mercury dips, warm up with one-pot suppers from Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q.

· Make the Cut: Knife technique is fundamental in the kitchen, and this tutorial with The Cook’s Warehouse will certainly sharpen any skills. 

Inside the Food Studio at Taste of Atlanta is open to all ticket holders on a first come basis. Registration for The Kitchen Workshop classes, also open to all attendees, will begin at 11 a.m. both days. General admission and VIP tickets are on sale now for $30 and $75, respectively. Tickets are sold at locations throughout Atlanta, including Cook’s Warehouse, Ticket Alternative and Georgia Tech’s ticket booth outlets. Advance tickets must be purchased by midnight on October 24. For more information, visit http://tasteofatlanta.com/tickets.

For more about Taste of Atlanta, check out its website, http://Tasteofatlanta.com.

Hope to see you there!