TICKETS GO ON SALE Friday for the eighth annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, running May 31-June 3 in Midtown Atlanta.
The annual event features more than 150 chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and pit masters from Texas to Washington, D.C. They gather to give festgoers a chance to know the South through immersive learning experiences, all-you-can-indulge tasting tents, and one-of-a-kind dinners and events. It usually attracts upward of 10,000 attendees.
New this year are master studios. These hands-on two-hour sessions take place Friday of the festival and conclude with a cocktail event at which each studio can show off its results. Also new: a Southern Marketplace, where housewares and Southern artisan goods can be purchased. You’ll find it in a pop-up tent provided by the festival’s sister event, Wine Riot (which will hold its own event here Aug. 17-18).
Foodies can choose from five customizable packages and join the fest for a few hours, a day or a weekend. Please note that early-bird pricing is available through March 30. Details, tickets HERE. The packages include:
Individual tasting tent passes
An epicurean journey through the South. The all-you-can-eat layout lets you sample the region’s top food and drink and chef creations while celebrating international influences on the region. $85 early-bird; $100 thereafter.
Day passes
Designed for curious F&B enthusiasts who want to eat, drink and learn. Friday pass holders experience the new master studios that finish with a cocktail event and the tasting tents. Saturday pass holders take part in learning experiences, the tasting tents, and class intermission sips and snacks. $135 Friday early-bird; $175 thereafter. $150 Saturday early-bird; $160 and $175 thereafter. Two-day passes are $275 early-bird; $325 thereafter.
Weekend passes
If one day isn’t enough. These include the Destination Delicious kickoff party on Thursday; master studios and tasting tents on Friday; learning experiences and the ADAC: Ingredients of Taste event on Saturday; and brunch and tasting tents on Sunday. $370 early-bird; $435 thereafter.
Dinners & events
Chefs, sommeliers and mixologists curate dinners and signature parties at private homes, restaurants and venues throughout the city. $55-$250 per person, per event.
Connoisseur experience
Pass holders have access to the exclusive Connoisseur Lounge; connoisseur-only classes; connoisseur dinner series events; fast-track entrance to the tasting tents; and, in the tents, a connoisseur hospitality area. The Connoisseur Lounge is a favorite gathering place for the festival’s advisory council. It serves breakfast, food samples and beverages from award-winning chefs and mixologists throughout the day. A single-day pass includes one dinner; two-day passes include two dinners; weekend passes include two dinners and an evening event. All Connoisseur pass holders have access to general classes, the tasting tents and will receive a Connoisseur gift bag. $500-$1,500 early-bird; $600-$1,800 thereafter.
