PRESS RELEASE
Get ready to eat, drink, and indulge as the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival turns five this May 28-31, 2015! Venture South for a decadent weekend of Southern food and drink while exploring the traditions and global influences that make the South the destination for culinary explorers.
Named “the only indispensable culinary Festival in the country,” by Josh Ozersky of Esquire and highly-anticipated by guests, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival features nearly 100 classes, carefully-curated Tasting Tents and delicious evening dinners and events, all designed to showcase Southern food, drink and culture.
Festival Co-Founders Dominique Love and Elizabeth Feichter, along with the Festival’s 90-member Advisory Council have once again created an extensive catalogue of programs and events featuring three distinct activities: Learning Experiences, Tasting Experiences, and Dinners & Events.
“As we get ready to celebrate five years as a Festival, we have to make note of how our region continues to grow in awareness, surprise in the kitchen and our talent is influencing culinary traditions across the globe,” says Love. “The commitment these chefs have to educating the general public and our event consumer continues to awe and inspire. In our five years, we have just scratched the surface on the depth and richness of the food and beverage traditions of the South. Year five will be about expecting the unexpected as we venture deeper into our culinary history.”
The Learning Experiences include smart and entertaining cooking and cocktail demonstrations, wine and food tasting seminars and panel discussions all designed by industry leaders. The daily learning sessions are rounded off with the Festival’s delicious Tasting Tents. Unlike any other festival tasting experience, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival’s Tents are carefully curated to showcase the region’s best flavors and feature a variety of “tasting trails” including Barbecue, Bourbon, Chicken, Craft Beer, Seafood, Southern Wines & Sprits, Southern Snacks, to name a few. The food trails are complimented by wine and spirits from other “Southern” regions around the globe like Southern Europe, South Africa and South America. In the unique evening dinners and events extend the Festival’s learning and tasting programs to wrap up the day.
Whether spending a few hours in the Tasting Tents, a day or three days at classes and events, guests will find their perfect Southern food and beverage experience. 2015 Ticketing packages include:
- Tasting Tent Pass – Designed to take guests on an exploration through the South, acclaimed artisans, producers, and chefs choose favorite recipes to highlight their culinary journey while mixologists, sommeliers and brewers craft the perfectly complemented libation. Whether cravings include barbeque or soul food, Tasting Tents will satisfy all with its epicurean offerings. $100 per Tasting Tent ticket (No early bird price change)
- Day Pass – Day Passes are ideal for curious food and beverage enthusiasts, desiring to not only taste incredible flavors but also to educate themselves through the top minds in the culinary world. Day Passes include Learning Experiences and the Festival Tasting Tents, class intermission sips and snacks presented by Ballard Designs (Friday and Saturday), Friday-only includes "Kick-Off Toast," Sunday-only includes Sunday Brunch. Day Pass holders also receive a Festival gift bag. $185 per day ($155 – early bird)
- 3-Day Pass – If one day isn’t enough (and when it comes to Southern food and drink, one day is never enough!), Atlanta Food & Wine Festival offers 3-Day Passes for guests looking to expand their tastes and minds. 3-Day Pass holders will experience Friday, Saturday and Sunday Learning Experiences and Festival Tasting Tents, "Kick-Off Toast," Sunday Brunch, class intermission sips and snacks presented by Ballard Designs (Friday and Saturday), PIG OUT: Market Style event (Thursday evening) and an invitation to exclusive sponsor events. 3-Day Pass holders also receive a Festival gift bag. $575 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday($485 early bird)
- Connoisseur Day Pass – If a more exclusive, lavish experience is what you seek, receive VIP treatment with the Connoisseur Day Pass. With a dedicated concierge to assist in planning the perfect gastronomic adventure, the Connoisseur Day Pass includes Connoisseur Learning Experiences, Festival Tasting Tents with express access, access to a Connoisseur-only area in the Tasting Tents, Connoisseur Lounge access with breakfast and food and drink service during class intermission, Friday-only includes "Kick-Off Toast," Sunday-only includes Sunday Brunch, invitations to attend exclusive sponsor events, and a Connoisseur gift bag. Connoisseurs will also have their choice of attending the annual Blackberry Farm dinner, a special evening at the new Porsche Experience Center, or one of the intimate dinners that have been carefully curated by award-winning food authors, Matt Lee and Ted Lee from Charleston, SC. $700 per day ($595 early bird)
- Connoisseur 3-Day Pass – The ultimate Atlanta Food & Wine Festival ticket, the Connoisseur 3-Day Pass offers the most exclusive schedule for food and beverage devotees, tastemakers and inquisitive Festival goers. For an experience unlike any other, the Connoisseur 3-Day Pass dedicates a personal concierge to assist with the planning of your individualized experience, including Friday, Saturday and Sunday general or Connoisseur Learning Experiences and Festival Tasting Tents with express access, access to a Connoisseur-only area in the Tasting Tents, Connoisseur Lounge access with daily breakfast and food and drink service during class intermission, "Kick-Off Toast," Sunday Brunch, invitations to exclusive sponsor events, and PIG OUT: Market Style event VIP Access (Thursday evening). Connoisseurs will also have their choice of attending three Connoisseur Dinner Series events, which includes the annual Blackberry Farm dinner, a special evening at the new Porsche Experience Center, or one of the intimate dinners that have been carefully curated by award-winning food authors, Matt Lee and Ted Lee from Charleston, SC. Guests will depart with a Connoisseur gift bag. $2,000 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($1,700 early bird)
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com
*Connoisseur ticketholders may choose reserve seating for general classes in lieu of attending Connoisseur Learning Experiences.
About Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
Launched in 2011, by Atlanta entrepreneurs Dominique Love and Elizabeth Feichter, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is a four-day culinary experience celebrating the South. With an Advisory Council of more than 90 award-winning talent from 13 Southern states and the District of Columbia, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival offers carefully-crafted programs and events to entertain and educate consumer about the rich food and beverage traditions of the region. The Festival also celebrates the flavors of other Southern regions around the globe including Southern Europe, South Africa, South America, Southern Hemisphere (Australia and New Zealand) and South-of-the-Border for Mexico. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns to Midtown Atlanta Thursday, May 28 – Sunday, May 31, 2015. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com