Keeping it kosher: Jewish barbecue festival returning to Dunwoody

The Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival will take place Oct. 17 in Dunwoody.

Credit: Atlanta Lodges of the Hebrew Order of David

Credit: Atlanta Lodges of the Hebrew Order of David

The Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival will take place Oct. 17 in Dunwoody.

Dunwoody will host the return of one of metro Atlanta’s largest barbecue festivals, which will feature pounds of brisket, ribs, chicken and chili.

The Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival will return for its eight year after missing 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the event is hosted by Jewish organizations, pulled pork and other non-kosher items will be left off the menu.

The annual festival typically attracts up to 4,000 attendees and is presented by the Atlanta Lodges of the Hebrew Order of David and the Maccabi Future Leaders Forum. The event will take place Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brook Run Park, located at 4770 North Peachtree Road.

“As the largest kosher barbeque competition in the Southeast, it’s been a great event to introduce kosher barbeque to aficionados in Atlanta and show new food options to those who follow the laws of kashrut,” Jody Pollack, executive director of the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival, said in a news release.

Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws that forbids the consumption of some types of foods, the combination of some foods and details proper slaughtering methods for livestock. Any food that adheres to these rules is deemed kosher. The 2019 festival, which took place in Sandy Springs, was featured in the film “No Pork on the Fork” that was screened at several film festivals, including the Georgia Film Festival.

All food prepared by the festival’s 25 competitors will be supervised by the Atlanta Kashrut Commission to ensure compliance, the release said. The 2019 event champion, the BBQ’N Hebrew Hillbillies, will defend their crown against teams of amateurs and professionals, including teams consisting of several local police and fire rescue departments. The festival will also feature competitors from Chicago and Texas.

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Tasting tickets cost $1 per person, and additional food and beverage options will be available to purchase from vendors. The festival will also include music, kids’ activities and booths from local businesses and Jewish community organizers. There will also be a silent auction.

Before any food is served, there will also be a fun run at 9 a.m. to benefit the Atlanta Jewish Abilities Alliance, a nonprofit that offers support resources and services to individuals with disabilities and their families.

For more information on the festival, visit theatlantakosherbbq.com or contact Pollack at pitboss@theatlantakosherbbq.com.