Taste of Atlanta 2011

Logo courtesy of Taste of Atlanta

Have you ever participated in a progressive supper?  You know...where you go from place to place eating a different aspect of the meal at each point.  The first place is dedicated to the appetizer, the second the salad, and so on.  Well, I know how you can achieve that same great experience times 80, because you can experience over 80 of Atlanta’s finest restaurants, all within walking distance. 

2010 Taste of Atlanta Attendees

 Taste of Atlanta, to be held on October 22-23, 2011, was voted “Top Festival Worth the Trip” by Oprah Magazine and “Best Outdoor Festival in the City” by Jezebel Magazine, and it’s not hard to see why.  This premiere festival brings restaurants of every description together to Tech Square in Midtown so that you can try a smorgasbord of delicious dishes.  Whether you are into fine dining, pubs, fast food or ethnic fare, Taste of Atlanta has something for you.  However, it doesn’t stop there!  It goes beyond by supporting local food related charities.  Keep reading to see how your day filled with food can actually be putting food into the hands of those who need it.

Alluvia 2010 Taste of Atlanta

Share our Strength® - This national organization works hard to make sure that no kid in America has to grow up hungry.  Share our Strength® weaves together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children facing hunger and surround them with nutritious food where they live, learn and play.  Through their Cooking Matters™ program, they empower families with the skills, knowledge and confidence to prepare healthy and affordable meals.  As the main nonprofit partner of Taste of Atlanta, they will be receiving the proceeds from the Silent Auction to be held on the 5th Street Bridge.  So, make sure you stop by and buy a little something special.

Silent Auction - Taste of Atlanta 2010

Atlanta’s Table - a project of the Atlanta Community Food Bank collects prepared perishable food from the hospitality industry and delivers it to over 40 Metro Atlanta nonprofit, hunger-relief agencies daily.  They will have refrigerated trucks on site at Taste of Atlanta so that they can do just that!

2010 Taste of Atlanta - Tech Square Midtown Street View

American Culinary Federation - this nonprofit organization promotes the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.  This year, Taste of Atlanta has provided them with a free booth so that they can prepare a dish to sell for the American Culinary Scholarship Fund.    

5 Seasons 2010 Taste of Atlanta Booth

Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia ProStart® - ProStart ® teaches high school students culinary skills and business management training. HEFG bridges the gap between high schools and the hospitality industry by providing teacher resources, scholarship opportunities, hospitality education and industry partnerships.  Taste of Atlanta is proudly showcasing this valuable program at this year's event. The top two students and their professional chef mentors will perform cooking demonstrations on the Home Plate Main Stage.  So grab something delicious, have a seat & cheer on these amazing students who are achieving goals at such an early age!

Main Stage - Taste of Atlanta 2010

Les Dames d’Escoffier Atlanta Chapter - This worldwide society of women is dedicated to creating a culture in the community that fosters excellence and promotes the achievement of women in culinary professions through educational and charitable activities.  Their scholarship fund will receive the proceeds from the Live Auction to be held Sunday at Taste of Atlanta.  You won’t want to miss this opportunity to support women through shopping!

HobNob - 2010 Taste of Atlanta

So...

Can you smell the aroma of garlic?

Can you hear the bacon frying?

What about the smiling faces of those in need receiving a helping hand...can you see those?

Maybe not yet, but soon!!  Grab some friends, make a date for October 22 or 23 to go enjoy the amazing fall weather that makes Atlanta such a great place to live, and participate in Taste of Atlanta: a progressive meal that feeds the soul!

Mondavi Toast - Photo Courtesy of James Camp