Sam Huff is is a former trial lawyer, competition barbecue cook and owner of Sam’s BBQ 1 in Marietta.
Robby Kukler is a founding partner of Fifth Group Restaurants, which includes South City Kitchen, La Tavola Trattoria, Ecco and the Original El Taco in Atlanta.
Though Huff’s business is take-out barbecue and Kukler does fine dining marketing and operations, both men are enthusiastic boosters of taste festivals — those community food events that bring chefs and restaurants outdoors to meet the hungry masses.
Huff will be selling samples of his ribs and pulled pork and offering barbecue cooking demonstrations at Taste of Marietta on May 1.
“I grew up in Marietta and I’ve never seen anything like the size of this event,” Huff said. “Every year it gets bigger and it gives a chance for a lot of people to get a taste of some good cooking. The restaurants really try to put on a show.”
Kukler’s group is a founding sponsor of the much smaller A Taste of the Highlands and his restaurants will have mini chorizo tacos, grilled octopus and spicy calamari salad at the May 14 Virginia-Highland festival.
“The festival was founded to support Children’s Health Care of Atlanta,” Kukler said. “It’s a great collection of neighborhood restaurants and neighborhood residents working together. It’s good fun, cold beer and great food in the name of a great cause.”
Here’s a sampling of four metro May taste festivals.
Taste of Marietta — May 1
Last year, more than 100,000 people took to the streets around historic Marietta Square for Taste of Marietta. This year marks the 18th anniversary and the site has been expanded to accommodate crowds. The draw is some 75 restaurants and caterers. Admission is free, but pay cash for tastes priced from $.50 to $4.00 and drinks at concession stations. Look for lots of barbecue, from the likes of Dave Poe’s, Rib Ranch, Sam’s BBQ 1 and Williamson Brothers, and treats such as Hawaiian shaved ice and deep-fried brownies. Live music, the Kids Alley, the Sports Corner, and free parking add up to a bargain-priced day of family entertainment. Taste of Marietta, 11 a.m. -7 p.m. May 1, Marietta Square, Marietta, 2011. www.tasteofmarietta.com
Taste of East Cobb — May 7
Billed as “music, food and fun,” Taste of East Cobb is an all-volunteer benefit event run by parents and friends of the Walton High School Band. The festival’s new location is at Merchants Walk shopping center where sponsor Whole Foods is set to open a store this summer. A showcase for local restaurants and merchants, including Bella Italia, Marlow’s Tavern and the new Seed Kitchen & Bar, the site features arts and crafts, a kids area and performances by the Walton High School Jazz Bands. Admission is free, food samples are $1.00 to $5.00, and there are beverage and dessert booths. Taste of East Cobb, 11 a.m. -- 5 p.m. May 7, Merchants Walk Shopping Center, 1285 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, www.tasteofeastcobb.com
Taste of Alpharetta – May 12
It’s the 21st year for Taste of Alpharetta, a city event organized to bolster the downtown dining scene. The festival, which boasts more than 60 restaurants and draws up to 60,000 people, is a bit different in a couple of ways. It takes place on a Thursday evening and it features a live cooking competition. Last year, Kozmo Gastro Pub, Sip Wine and Tapas Bar and Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails were among the restaurants that took to the kitchen stage to prepare dishes for the judges panel. Tastes are priced from $.50 to $3.00, there’s live music, a kids fun zone and free parking with park and ride or park and walk options. Taste of Alpharetta, 5 -- 10 p.m. May 12, 1825 Old Milton Parkway at Wills Park, Alpharetta, http://alpharetta.ga.us
A Taste of the Highlands — May 14
The 9th annual A Taste of the Highlands is in John Howell Park in Virginia-Highland. The lush urban green space makes an idyllic garden party setting for a small, sophisticated fest that raised $33,000 for Children’s Health Care of Atlanta in 2010. A $40 (in advance) ticket covers all food and drink, including alcoholic beverages if you’re over 21. Look for fine dining meccas, such as 4th & Swift, Ecco and La Tavola, neighborhood favorites, like Atkins Park and Murphy’s, plus newcomers, Deckard’s and the Family Dog. Pair tastes with craft beer from Terrapin Beer Co. and other beverages from Highland Wine, Belvedere Vodka and Barefoot Wine. A Taste of the Highlands, 2 -- 5 p.m., John Howell Park, Virginia Avenue and Barnett Street, Atlanta, www.tasteofthehighlands.com
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Tasting Tents and Street Carts — May 20 -- 21
The inaugural Atlanta Food & Wine Festival in Midtown is a star-studded showcase for Southern culinary tradition and inspiration. A $75 ticket gets you access to all the festivities in the tasting tents and street cart pavilion for what the founders call “a carefully-crafted all-you-can-eat-and-drink Southern buffet.” Travel through the tents on tasting “trails,” including Southern craft beer, fried chicken, barbecue, peanuts and sweets and snacks, plus wine and spirits. Look for a whole pig tent curated by Kevin Gillespie and a bourbon tent curated by Julian Van Winkle. Among the food and beverage stations, find chefs such as Hugh Acheson of Empire State South and Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Diner. In the street cart pavilion, chef/curators Dan Latham and Eli Kirshtein bring a Southern focus to this hot trend with purveyors from around the region, including Florida’s GastroPod and North Carolina’s Klausie’s Pizza. $75 ticket allows individual access to Friday, Saturday or Sunday tent and street cart tastings. Tasting Tents at 11th and Peachtree Walk and Street Cart Pavilion at 12th and Peachtree in Midtown, atlfoodandwinefestival.com/events-tickets.
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