Festival Celebrates Atlanta's Culinary Identity Over Four Days Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ closed its 16th annual event this past weekend with more than 10,000 guests and over 100 chefs, restaurants, and beverage professionals gathering at the Home Depot Backyard. The four-day celebration centered on "The City is the Story," featuring tasting tents, live entertainment, and culinary competitions across four themed evenings. "We wanted this year's festival to tell the story of Atlanta through its food, and it was incredible to watch that story come to life all weekend," said Brett Friedman, founder and CEO of a21, the event's organizing agency. "The chefs brought their best, the crowds brought the energy, and you could feel what makes Atlanta's food scene so special. We're grateful to the chefs, our brand partners and everyone who came out to celebrate with us, and we can't wait to do it again next year."

Thursday: The Atlanta Standard Opening night, hosted by Atlanta Journal-Constitution food editor Monti Carlo and kicked off by City Councilman Byron Amos, showcased Atlanta's distinctive culinary identity. Chefs Deborah VanTrece of VanTrece Hospitality Group, Simon Warren of Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, and Anthony Dudley of MICHELIN-recognized Hattie B's served signature dishes while a live saxophonist set the mood.

Friday: Flavors of Atlanta Hosted by Andrew Zimmern, Friday's walk-around tasting explored global influences across the city's food scene, featuring bites inspired by Latin America, Asia, the Caribbean and beyond. James Beard Award semifinalists Monique and Paul Feybesse of Tarts de Feybesse and Tana Bhamaraniyama of Tyde Tate Kitchen were among featured chefs, with Caribbean dancers and a live steel pannist providing entertainment.

Saturday: Burgers and BBQ Despite weather disruptions, Saturday evening's Stacked: The Burger Social, hosted by chef Ford Fry and presented by Mike's Amazing, featured burger competitors including Billy Kramer of NFA Burger and Eleazar Fuerte of Mike's Amazing. Guests voted for the Mike's Amazing People's Choice Award, which went to No Idea Burger Joint for their Gangnam Spicy Burger featuring smashed beef with jalapeños, melted pepper jack, grilled onions, fresh greens and tomato, and finished with their signature sweet and spicy gochujang double k sauce on a toasted bun. Whiskey & Fire Atlanta returned for a second year, combining live-fire cooking with whiskey tastings. Chef Lorenzo Washington was named the 2026 Heritage Fire Hero for his slow smoked and tender Ray Jean's Brisket, glazed with apricot jalapeño BBQ sauce, creamy corn pudding and smoked cabbage, while Chef Kyle Bryner of Blue Hound Barbeque was crowned the Apparatus winner.

Sunday: The Homecoming and Fried Chicken Sunday's Tasting Tents experience, The Homecoming, hosted by Food Network star Kardea Brown, emphasized Atlanta hospitality with grilled dishes and live music from the Morehouse Marching Band. Featured chefs included Simon Warren and Fernando Desa of Goya Foods. The festival closed with Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair, hosted by "Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast member and restaurateur Kelli Potter. James Beard Award nominee Ronald Hsu of MICHELIN-recognized Lazy Betty and Anthony Dudley of Hattie B's showcased both classic Southern fried chicken and globally inspired preparations.

Brand Activations and Charitable Impact Beyond main events, sponsor activations filled the grounds.

Mike's Amazing deployed its signature Airstream with daily burger offerings, while Goya Foods staffed a dedicated station with Executive Chef Fernando Desa. The Publix Culinary Demonstration Stage hosted live demos hosted by Mara Davis. Guests sampled offerings from Pernod Ricard, Caymus Vineyards, Princess Cruises, Coca-Cola, and Blade and Bow bourbon. Event Zero Foundation, the festival's charitable partner, coordinated donation of 3,358 pounds of food to The Eye Believe Foundation and its Field to Fork Program, supporting approximately 50 nonprofit organizations and minority-owned farmers across South Georgia.

Looking Ahead The festival returns in 2027 for its 17th year.

Since its founding in 2010, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival has become one of the South's established culinary events.

Why It Matters

For hospitality operators and chefs, the festival's continued growth—drawing 10,000+ attendees and maintaining brand partnerships year over year—signals strong consumer appetite for experiential dining events tied to regional food culture. The format's success showcases how multi-day festivals can build loyalty, generate earned media, and drive charitable outcomes, making it a model for other regional markets considering similar culinary events.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors