What were you up to the first weekend of June? If your plans didn't include attending the 6th annual Atlanta Food and Wine Festival & eating to your belly's content, then you no doubt, missed out on one of the largest food-filled events in the South! With talented chefs from all over the South showcasing their incredible skills & delectable bites, this event was THE place to be to learn, wine & dine with some of the finest Southern chefs, mixologists and artisans in the industry! Fortunately, this was my 3rd AFWF & as always, I had an unbelievable time eating my way through the tasting tents and chatting with the likes of notable Atlanta chefs including Jonathan and Justin Fox of Fox Bros BBQ. With the sun shining ever so bright on the gorgeous new event location in Piedmont Park, attendees really couldn't have asked for better weather to be honest. And even then, if the weather on this Saturday afternoon were anything like the flash flood weather that Sunday's attendees at last year's event experienced, it would've still been worth every single penny! Regardless, I can confidently say that the Atlanta Food and Wine Fest is a MUST attend event for every true ATLien in the city & that I'm so blessed and proud to live in such a huge foodie city filled wonderfully hospitable people and even better food! The type of experience you get here is one that's simply unforgettable-I mean, where else are you able to meet and chat with some of your favorite Southern chefs, get to try over 50+ items from various restaurants/vendors and double fist endless amounts of alcoholic beverages with no one judging you?! I mean, what more could you ask for? That's what I thought! ;) Just before I begin though, I just want to give a HUGE thanks to the lovely crew over at 360 Media for inviting me to cover AFWF again this year! It's always an event that I look forward to every year & one that I absolutely love sharing with you all here on BV!
Let's get started:
☆Let the eating BEGIN!
☆Coca-Cola Tasting Tent
☆Just a couple of cool gals hydrating the hungry crowd!
☆Gold Peak Tea Tasting Tent
☆Tasty one bite cupcakes
☆Chilled Three Sisters Soup from Moore Farm & Friends (AL)
☆Blueberry Buttermilk Bite from Revolution Doughnuts (GA)
☆Rusty's BBQ gettin' ready to plate up some ribs!
☆Ribs, Collards & Cornbread from Rusty's BBQ
☆Sausage and Pimento Cheese Bites from The Glass Onion (SC)
☆Lump Crab Meat Salad
☆GooGoo Cluster representin'
☆Delicious desserts from Loews Atlanta & New Orleans
☆Parfaits, Pralines and Turtles from Loews Atlanta & Loews New Orleans Hotel
☆Chef action!
☆Seafood Crudo
☆Assortment of Freshly Baked Breads
☆Corn Soup
☆Grits & Grillades with Fried Oysters from The French Press
☆Hot Chicken Jambonettes from Hattie's B
☆Jumbo Scallops
☆Tasty Cakes from Caroline's Cakes (SC)
☆Pork Stuffed Chicken Wing from 2 Fat 2 Fly (SC)
☆Chicken Pate from Saltyard
☆Juicy Rib with Coleslaw
☆Delta Tent-Free King of Pops!
☆Raspberry Lime King of Pop with Prosecco
☆Biscoff Pop in a sea of Biscoff Cookies!
☆Sweet Goat Milk Caramels & Sauces from Fox Point Farms (AL)
☆2nd Half of the Tasting Tents
☆Freshly Grilled Crab
☆Mean Merry Go 'Round
☆Pulled Pork Sandwich
☆Grilled Wings from Fox Bros BBQ
☆BBQ Taco
☆Jael and Dan Rattigan from French Broad Chocolate Lounge
☆New Chocolate Products-look at those gorgeous bars!
I don't know about ya'll, but my gut is absolutely busted looking at all of these pictures again AND this wasn't even the half of it! I couldn't even begin to tell you about all of the foods that I ate even if I had wanted to because I either 1) ate too fast or 2) ate so much that I don't remember. However, I do know and can attest to the fact that there was absolutely nothing I ate that I didn't like! All of these restaurants are bringing their A-games and poker faces to the table, AFWF is some serious business-It's where the best of the best come to play, sort of like playing in the World Series of Poker....but for food, which is where the PNC branded chips came in, allowing attendees to vote for their favorite dish! Having to juggle my phone, handbag and plates of food made snapping pictures difficult, but I hope that from these alone, you'll be able to tell just how organized & tasty this annual event is each and every year! Although I wasn't able to attend any of the classes I had originally wanted to due to some personal, last minute family emergencies, I can tell from pictures that they all looked like a blast! Hopefully next year, I'll get the chance to attend a few classes that I'm eyeing to make up for not attending any this year. I seriously cannot wait to see what 2017 will bring---the chefs, the classes & so much more, I've only got 3 words to say: BRING IT ON!
Here's a few tips & tricks to making sure you get the most out of the event:
☆Wear comfortable shoes & clothes by checking the weather the night before/day off-BE SMART!
☆Skip breakfast and lunch-you're going to be stuffed silly by the time you leave so come on an empty stomach!
☆If you plan on drinking, make sure you use a ride sharing service like Uber or Lyft-Drinking and driving is NEVER okay! SAFETY first, ALWAYS!
☆Unless you absolutely HAVE to, slow down on the alcohol. Don't waste your stomach space on liquor because the food here is unlike anything you'll find in the city!
☆If you plan on checking out classes before the tasting tents on each day, make sure you register for them online beforehand if you can! These fill up FAST, so get your name on the list ASAP!
☆Bring a reusable bag from home-You'll be glad you did since it'll carry your bottled drinks & other freebies being handed out at the event!
☆Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Want seconds? DIVE IN! Just be careful because there's more food being served than you know & you want to make sure you get a taste of it all!
Were you able to attend this year's Atlanta Food and Wine Festival? What seminars did you attend and/or what was your favorite bite from this year's event? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
FTC: Although this was a media event, I will alway provide an honest review and experience of this event.
If you'd like to invite Bella Vivere to cover & share your restaurant's media events, tastings or parties, feel free to shoot me an email at bellavivere {at} gmail {dot} com-Thanks!
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