PENA PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTELLUCCI HOSPITALITY GROUP

TASTES OF THE SOUTH

With summer’s end just around the corner, we might as well go out in foodie heaven. The finest chefs of the South are gathering for the 11th Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (atlantafoodandwinefestival.com) Sept. 15 to 18. With myriad events to choose from, here are a few to get your taste buds excited.

The annual festival always draws a huge crowd, from all corners of the city, to explore all the gastronomic delights Atlanta chefs have to offer. PHOTO BY RAFTERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

NEXT LEVEL In addition to the staple tasting tents, AF&WF is curating a series called Intimate Brunches & Dinners. If you’ve done the tent tastings and are looking for a different kind of experience, read up on the chefs who are elated to showcase their love for the culinary industry’s magic touch at intimate gatherings. Tickets for the intimate brunches and dinners, master classes, personalized chef experiences and collaborations are all available a la carte.

PHOTO BY RAFTERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

PASSIONATE PALATE Selected for one of the new intimate dinner series is The Iberian Pig’s executive chef Josue Pena. His Puerto Rican roots combined with his passion for the industry led him from Florida to Nashville to Atlanta. “My specialty is trying to keep the love and passion for this industry alive for as long as possible— always trying new things and never losing my curiosity,” says Pena. This mindset will ensure a dinner party to remember as he thrives in the perfect recipe of people, environment, sound and aromas. 3150 Roswell Road NW, Ste. A3; 121 Sycamore St., Decatur, theiberianpigatl.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAFTERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

TENT TASTE(IC) In Old Fourth Ward Park, anticipate a food coma that rivals the holidays after two days of the popular tasting tents. From Publix-sponsored chef demos and unlimited bites and drinks to TVs for football viewing for ticket holders, the tasting tents are the perfect way to experience the culinary craft of the South. Revered chefs are flocking from Texas, Georgia and even D.C. to prepare and introduce you to a celebratory selection of the thing that brings people together: good, especially Southern, food.

Thomas PHOTO BY WHITNEY THOMAS

NEW SOUL Chef Whitney Thomas is venturing into restaurant ownership after an impressive career thus far. “I feel that the culinary scene in Atlanta forces you to up your game,” she says of her new digs. “There is so much culinary talent in this town.” At her Atlanta debut, Serenidad, she is honing Latin soul. “We want to showcase soul food as being much broader than the American South,” says Thomas, who shares her favorite menu item is the shrimp and paella grits. We are crossing our fingers there will be a taste at Serenidad’s tent! 2317 Cascade Ave. SW, restaurantserenidad.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAFTERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

DELECTABLE DEBUT. The first-ever Sliced: AF&WF’s Party by the Slice will feature every kind of food you can imagine, but in sliced form! Pies, quiches, pizzas and more will broaden your knowledge on filling and the versatility of Southern cuisine. Following the Sliced debut, the bird will take its rightful place at the table. Starring roasted, buttered, fried, baked, braised and barbecued chicken, and more, the Cluck’d: A Chicken & Cocktail Soiree is the perfect way to end the last Saturday of the summer.