Sprawling Four-Day Event Draws Star Chefs and Major Sponsors The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns September 10-13 to The Home Depot Backyard, assembling nearly 100 chefs, restaurants, beverage partners and culinary personalities under the theme "The City is the Story." The lineup includes television personalities Monti Carlo, Andrew Zimmern, and Kardea Brown as hosts, alongside notable culinary figures including James Beard Award semifinalists Tana Bhamaraniyama of Tyde Tate Kitchen, Ronald Hsu of MICHELIN-recognized Lazy Betty, and Deborah VanTrece of VanTrece Hospitality Group. "Chopped" champion Gary Caldwell, cookbook author Renee Blackman, and chefs from MICHELIN-recognized Hattie B's and NFA Burger round out the roster.

Partner Activations and Themed Experiences Four major presenting partners anchor the event.

Invesco QQQ returns as title sponsor, Goya Foods leads the Tasting Tents program, and Mike's Amazing sponsors Stacked: The Burger Social. Pernod Ricard, Caymus Vineyards, The Coca-Cola Company, and Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey provide additional beverages and spirits. Daily events include The Atlanta Standard (Thursday), Flavors of Atlanta (Friday), The Southern Spread and Stacked: The Burger Social (Saturday), and The Homecoming and Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair (Sunday). Whiskey & Fire Atlanta takes place Saturday at Guardian Works. "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." The festival has also partnered with Event Zero Foundation on sustainability initiatives. Tickets and multi-day passes are available at atlfoodandwinefestival.com. Guests must be 21 and older.

Why It Matters

Food and beverage events of this scale serve as key platforms for chefs and restaurants to reach affluent consumers, media, and fellow industry professionals. The breadth of sponsor participation—from financial services (Invesco QQQ) to CPG brands (Goya, Coca-Cola)—signals confidence in Atlanta's culinary market and the festival's ability to deliver brand engagement within a curated hospitality setting.


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Written by FBM Publications Editors