Celebration of Atlanta's Culinary Generations Raises Funds for Food Service Worker Crisis Assistance Giving Kitchen, the James Beard Award-winning nonprofit supporting food service workers in crisis, will host Forkside Seats fueled by Georgia Natural Gas on Sunday, November 1, at State Farm Arena. The event returns for its second year with a focus on uniting culinary generations across the city. More than 30 restaurants, chefs, bartenders, and beverage partners will serve a four-course dinner to 640 guests on the arena floor. This year's theme, "True to Atlanta," spans from historic establishments to the city's newest kitchens, marking a shift from last year's inaugural event, which spotlighted newer restaurants. "Forkside Seats is a love letter to Atlanta's dynamic food scene and a celebration of the Southern hospitality that makes this community so special," said Allison Padilla-Goodman, CEO of Giving Kitchen. "Giving Kitchen was born in Atlanta, the home of the civil rights movement, and this city's spirit for action and care fuels Giving Kitchen's work of helping all food service workers nationwide."
Event Schedule and Menu Guests will begin with an elevated cocktail hour featuring handcrafted drinks, wines, and tastings from restaurants and bars including Bankhead Seafood, COSM, King of Pops, Holeman & Finch, Magic City Kitchen, and others. Beverage partners include Campari, Creature Comforts Brewing Company, Tito's, and multiple local spirits producers. Dinner opens with bread service from Mary Mac's Tea Room and Bomb Biscuits, followed by a salad course curated by Chef G. Garvin, State Farm Arena's Chief Culinary Officer. The main course will feature contributions from participating chefs including Matthew Basford of Canoe, Terry Koval of The Deer and The Dove, Josue Peña of the Iberian Pig, and Deborah VanTrece of Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, among others. Desserts from Cake Pharmacy, Sweet Auburn Bread Company, and The Chai Box will conclude the dinner, followed by a live auction benefiting Giving Kitchen.
Ticket Options and Impact Reserved seats start at $250. VIP tickets ($550) include Delta Sky360° Club access, elevated bites, cocktails, and a gift bag. Ultra VIP packages ($2,500) offer Hawk for a Day experiences including locker room access, a custom jersey, practice court time, and a media room signing experience. Since 2013, Giving Kitchen has assisted more than 41,000 food service workers—including more than 8,000 children in their households—and awarded more than $17 million in financial assistance, with support now reaching workers in all 50 states. "Being 'True to Atlanta' means showing up for the people, culture and communities that make this city special," said Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena. "Forkside Seats is an opportunity to celebrate Atlanta's vibrant culinary identity while supporting Giving Kitchen's meaningful work for food-service workers facing crisis."
Why It Matters
Forkside Seats demonstrates how sports venues and foodservice industry partnerships can direct revenue toward workforce support infrastructure. Food service workers face particular financial vulnerability, and events like this expand funding models beyond traditional hospitality sector fundraising while strengthening community ties for both the Hawks organization and participating restaurants.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
