The annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is set to take over Midtown on June 1-4. With people from all over the world preparing mouthwatering dishes, pouring exclusive wine, beers and spirits, and thousands of guests navigating, it can be a little overwhelming. However, with so many experiences available, there is truly something for everyone, you just have to pick your adventure.
Whether you love beer, wine or want to throw a cow on the grill, here are a few classes and tasting tent experiences you won't want to miss. For a full list of classes, check out the schedule.
If you love beer
Can't-miss classes: Beer: The Sommelier's Perspective, Beer: It's What's for Breakfast, Southern Craft Brewers Spill It (Taught by the AJC's Bob Townsend)
In the tents: There will be a great deal of brew pouring throughout the tents, including brewers you love and new-to-you brewers you'll be glad you met.
If you’re there for the wine
Can’t-miss Classes:
Award-Winning Georgia Wines from the Georgia Trustees Wine Challenge. Georgia has a lot of wineries, hear what the Trustees have to say about the best ones, as well as ciders and meads. They will also drop some knowledge about the history of winemaking in Georgia.
Other classes include, A South African Wine Safari, The Three Amigos: Master Soms of Texas Unite!, The Psychology of Tasting Wine.
In the tasting tents: Wine from many vineyards will be poured throughout tents. Last year's popular sommelier lounge where sommeliers pop in to pour their favorite wines returns.
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Want to get your passport stamped?
Can't-miss Classes: A Pork Obsession: Spain and the American South, Curry: Mortar & Pestle, "New"dles.
In the tasting tents: Lehja is out of Richmond and will be serving traditional Indian cuisine with a contemporary flair, Rooster and the Till from Tampa will be serving its eclectic ethnic fare. For an Asian fix, Gan Shan Station from Asheville will be taking care of you.
Are you a grill master?
Can't-miss classes: BBQ Sauce Boss, Green Eggs & Bacon, The Craft of Barbecue and Bourbon.
In the tasting tents: Brothers Jonathan and Justin of Atlanta's Fox Bros. BBQ are curating the Live Fire Area where chefs will be grilling over open flame and Big Green Eggs.
How about that sweet tooth?
Can't-miss classes: Eating Appalachia: Stack Cake, Ingredient Spotlight: Peanuts, The Dough Fairies.
In the tasting tents: Pinpoint Restaurant of of Wilmington, NC will cover the coast. What more do you need to know about a bakery called Sugaree's other than that it's from a place in Mississippi that you ain't never been?
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For all the veg heads
Can't-miss classes: Soul Food Vegetables, Ingredient Spotlight: Eggplant, Grill Masters: Veggie Victorious.
In the tasting tents: A bounty of southern vegetables will help you balance out your meat and sweets snacking.
Any seafood lovers?
Can't-miss classes: Dock to Dish: Sustainable Seafood, Ingredient Spotlight: Louisiana Seafood, The Future of Aquaculture.
In the tasting tents: The Darling Oyster Bar will bring a taste of Charleston to midtown while Ella and Ollies represents Edisto Island. Closer to home, Atlanta's Eli Kirshtein will work his magic.
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