Here are six don't-miss experiences and events at the 2016 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. Please note that classes, dinners and events must be reserved in advance and may be full or sold out. Tickets: atlfoodandwinefestival.com/tickets.
Entrepreneur's Program, noon-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Loews Atlanta Hotel. For the second year, the festival is collaborating with Craft Catalyst, an Atlanta-based brand accelerator, to offer a special program for Southern food and beverage entrepreneurs. This year marks the debut of the Southern Food & Drink Entrepreneurs Award, with six Southern food and beverage entrepreneurs selected as award finalists and showcased at the festival.
$100, includes lunch, keynote, two sessions and closing reception.
Destination Delicious, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the Stave Room at American Spirit Works. This year's opening party is billed as "the ultimate road trip with delicious chef creations, fantastic libations, live music and our favorite Southern destinations." Presented by the Local Palate, the affair will have some 20 chefs showcasing the flavors and traditions from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
$55, includes food, drink and limited self-parking.
Nourishing Community, 8:30-10 a.m. Friday, Loews Atlanta Hotel. One of the feel-good events of the festival brings together farmers, chefs and other food business leaders who are nourishing their communities through innovative and generous acts of philanthropy. All proceeds from the breakfast will go to the AFWF Foundation and its charity partners.
$50, includes breakfast and discussion.
Master class: Old World vs. New World, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Vineyard in the City. This first-time interactive experience at the festival's pop-up vineyard will begin with a meet-and-greet, then Old World and New World will go head-to-head as wine-making traditions, growing practices, styles and direction are compared and contrasted. The class will wrap with an informal gathering in the vineyard's cafe area, where bottles will be passed and conversation will flow.
$100, includes tasting and informal bottle share.
Rathbuns' Watch List, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. In its fifth year, this soiree convened by Atlanta chef Kevin Rathbun brings together the South's emerging food, beverage and design talent for an evening of good taste. The selected group includes interior designers, chefs and mixologists, who collaborate on the build-out of the ADAC space and the creation of bites and beverages, with Rathbun himself cooking and presiding over the festivities.
$85, includes food, beverages and eye candy.
Sunday brunch, noon-2 p.m. Sunday, Loews Atlanta Hotel. Launched in 2015, the Sunday brunch garnered rave reviews and is now the main event of the last morning of the festival. This year, Advisory Council members and their friends will share their culinary creations with family-style service inspired by Atlanta chef Kevin Gillespie's Gunshow restaurant. The event will feature "decadent food, brunch libations and live music."
$45 general admission, includes all that
About the Author
