ATLANTA — The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ will mark its 16th year Sept. 10–13 at The Home Depot Backyard with a four-day lineup of tasting events, celebrity hosts and partner activations built around the theme “The City is the Story.”
Organizers say nearly 100 Atlanta chefs, restaurants, beverage partners and culinary personalities will take part. Tickets are on sale at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
AFWF Announces Chefs, Talent
Host talent includes Atlanta Journal-Constitution food and dining editor Monti Carlo; “Bizarre Foods” host Andrew Zimmern; chef and caterer Shawn Osbey; restaurateur Ford Fry; Food Network star Kardea Brown; and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, restaurateur and cookbook author Kelli Potter.
Featured Chefs
Featured chefs include James Beard Award semifinalist Tana Bhamaraniyama of Tyde Tate Kitchen; cookbook author Renee Blackman; Food Network “Chopped” champion Gary Caldwell of Marcus Bar & Grille; Anthony Dudley of MICHELIN-recognized Hattie B’s; James Beard Award semifinalists Monique and Paul Feybesse of Tarts de Feybesse; James Beard Award nominee Ronald Hsu of MICHELIN-recognized Lazy Betty; Billy Kramer of NFA Burger; James Beard Award nominee Duane Nutter of Southern National; Gee Smalls of Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar; Biff “MrBBQ” Smith of Mobile Chef of Atlanta; and James Beard Award semifinalist Deborah VanTrece of VanTrece Hospitality Group. The full talent list is at atlfoodandwinefestival.com/talent.
READ up on the 2026 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.
Invesco QQQ returns as presenting partner. Goya Foods is presenting partner of the Tasting Tents and official Hispanic foods partner, with Executive Chef Fernando Desa at a dedicated station. Mike’s Amazing is presenting partner of Stacked: The Burger Social and official mayo and mustard partner, serving a different burger each day from its Airstream trailer.
Other partner experiences include Publix cake samples and chef demonstrations on the Publix Culinary Demonstration Stage; wines and spirits from Pernod Ricard; Caymus Vineyards wine from Princess Cruise Lines paired with grilled New York strip; two Coca-Cola signature cocktails created for the festival, the Dirty South Coke and Edgewood Express; Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon at a Pony Trailer cocktail experience; and hospitality from official host hotel Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. Organizers also cited partner giveaways and discounted rideshare.
“The strength of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival comes from the incredible partners who share our passion for showcasing the South’s culinary community,” said Brett Friedman, founder and CEO of a21. “Their collaboration helps transform the festival into a one-of-a-kind experience guests can explore and enjoy in so many different ways.”
AFWF Event schedule
Thursday, Sept. 10 — The Atlanta Standard, hosted by Monti Carlo
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP 6:30–10 p.m.; general admission 7:30–10 p.m.
Chef-driven bites from Deborah VanTrece, Simon Warren of Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, Anthony Dudley and others, plus cocktails, wine, a saxophonist and live music.
GA $135; VIP $185
Friday, Sept. 11 — Flavors of Atlanta, hosted by Andrew Zimmern
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP 6:30–10 p.m.; general admission 7:30–10 p.m.
Walk-around tasting highlighting Latin, Asian, Caribbean and other influences. Featured chefs include Monique and Paul Feybesse and Tana Bhamaraniyama. Caribbean dancers and a steel pannist perform.
GA $155; VIP $205
Saturday, Sept. 12 — The Southern Spread, hosted by Shawn Osbey
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP noon–3:30 p.m.; general admission 1–3:30 p.m.
Southern classics and modern interpretations. Featured chefs include Biff “MrBBQ” Smith, Gee Smalls, Gary Caldwell, Renee Blackman and Duane Nutter.
GA $155; VIP $205
Saturday, Sept. 12 — Stacked: The Burger Social, hosted by Ford Fry, presented by Mike’s Amazing
VIP 6:30–9:30 p.m.; general admission 7:15–9:30 p.m.
Burger tasting with participating chefs including Billy Kramer and Eleazar Fuerte of Mike’s Amazing. Guests vote for the Mike’s Amazing People’s Choice Burger Award.
GA $125; VIP $155
Saturday, Sept. 12 — Whiskey & Fire Atlanta
Guardian Works, 775 Echo St. NW
VIP 5–8:30 p.m.; general admission 5:45–8:30 p.m.
Second-year collaboration between Heritage Fire and Whiskies of the World, with open-fire cooking by chefs including Black Girls Grilling and Biff “MrBBQ” Smith and hundreds of whiskies.
GA $129; early access $169
Sunday, Sept. 13 — The Homecoming, hosted by Kardea Brown
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP and general admission noon–3:30 p.m.
Grill-focused tasting with a live marching band. Featured chefs include Simon Warren.
GA $135; VIP $185
Sunday, Sept. 13 — Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair, hosted by Kelli Potter
VIP 4:30–7:30 p.m.; general admission 5:15–7:30 p.m.
Walk-around fried chicken tasting from Southern and global styles. Chefs include Ronald Hsu and Anthony Dudley.
GA $125; VIP $155
Tickets and the complete calendar are available at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?