Snapshots from the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Throngs of Southern food lovers concentrated in Midtown this weekend during the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. With classes and seminars ranging from "Whiskey Blind Tasting" and "Sipping Chocolate" to "Soul of a Forager" and "Florida Cracker Cuisine," plus more than 200 food and drink tasting tents- there was plenty of imbibing and indulging to hold people over for the week.

By Sunday morning, the festival atmosphere was more subdued than previous days. As I was heading to a seminar, a festival attendee was searching for a class to attend and asked for a recommendation.

"What are you interested in?" I asked.

"Whichever one has alcohol." Ahhh--- that was why. The vibe picked up once 12:30 struck.

Among the celebrated Atlanta chefs that taught seminars was Linton Hopkins, Anne Quatrano, Steven Satterfield, Kevin Rathbun, Shaun Doty, Todd Richards and Duane Nutter.

I'll go with "Beverage Gurus"- those from Atlanta included Arianne Fielder, Michael McNeill (MS), Jane Garvey (CSW), Paul Calvert and Greg Best .

"The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is known as the only Food & Wine Festival with an emphasis on local, Southern cuisine," Love said.

I think that statement aligns with our pride of Southern hospitality, with an emphasis on the hospitality part. All day Saturday I volunteered in the kitchen to help assist the chefs and speakers during their seminars. It gives a different behind the scenes perspective of the festival, and while there certainly was a fast-paced, bustling environment, everything was executed smoothly.

More than anything, I noticed that the chefs and their staff were extremely grateful to the volunteers and Loews Hotel kitchen staff.One such example was a chef prepping food for the "Spicy Bubbles" seminar. Despite a shuffle in the order that his dishes would go out, he remained calm and collected, constantly thanking the volunteers for our help.

The tasting tents were overwhelmingly emphasizing the South. There were rows of tables serving fried chicken, pork belly served in different fashions from at least four different restaurants, and the alcohol-craft beer, whiskey, bourbon, vodka and wine- there was no end.

Those that got to experience, what were the standout drinks and tastes? For me, I think the St. Germain cocktail won me over for drinks. Taste went to The Turnip Truck's strawberry gazpacho.

Now here are some lovely "food porn" photos. We'd love to see yours! Tweet to @AJCJohnKessler or share on our Facebook Page.