The Tasting Tents are what comes to mind for many when they think of Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.  You know, the big white tents and mouth-watering samples of food and wine for days. Like every year, I knew this was something that could not be missed, and I relished the off-duty time spent with the team in the Tasting Tents on Friday night. 

This year, the Tasting Tents called Atlanta Botanical Garden home; which I couldn’t have been more thrilled about.  The beautiful expanse was the perfect location for the crowds to visit and eat/drink to their hearts’ content…it was really a wonder why the tents hadn’t been located there in previous years!  The flow of the tents was really well done; spread out just enough to not feel claustrophobic or like you were walking for miles between booths and culinary “trails.” I don’t know about you, but the Tasting Tents have the ability to overwhelm me (I don’t really enjoy crowds), but that was not the case at all this year. 

With over a hundred talented vendors set up at the Tasting Tents, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.  As you walk in, you think “where to even begin?!” But as a seasoned Tasting Tents attendee, I knew the ones I absolutely had to visit (Revolution Donuts‘ infamous peach sliders—warm donuts sliced in half with fresh Georgia peaches—are always on the top of my list, and I of course gravitate to any and all wineries). But the Tasting Tents are also a time for exhibitors to unveil new, unexpected twists to their usual cuisine (Fox Bros took a breather from their popular smoked meats and barbecued only seafood this year, proving their never-ending ability to impress), as well as a time for new talent to be discovered…I was so impressed to stumble upon wineries from as far as New Zealand and South Africa in attendance. 

Did you make it to the Tasting Tents this year?  I’d love to know what your favorites were!  And of course if you’re reading this and your mouth is watering (mine is), do make a point to attend next year. You’ll leave with happy hearts and full bellies, I promise.  Truly, MKR

As I was scrolling through what seemed like a million plus pictures on my camera the other day I stumbled across these gems and realized I never chatted about my experience at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.  I blame this momentary loss of memory on the temporary high I was on from eating and cocktailing my way through the South for 3 solid days.  AFWF shouldn’t even be called a festival, it should be called an experience.

The weekend kicked off with breakfast in the connoisseur lounge which was a stunning design collaboration between Ballard Designs and William Peace of Peace Design.  Peace called the design a play on coastal living, I simply asked if I could move in tomorrow.  Once we were properly satiated with bloody marys and biscuits the day “officially” kicked off with a champagne toast by founders Dominique Love and Elizabeth Feichter.  Then the madness began as everyone rushed upstairs, downstairs, outside, or to wherever their first class began.  I of course gravitated towards any and all wine seminars.  I tasted 90+ wines with Michael McNeill, Master Sommelier, (did you know there are only 219 Master Sommeliers in the world?!).  Learned how to cold smoke on the Big Green Egg with Todd Richards.  Decided I should really consider buying a villa in Tuscany (duh) with Brancaia.   Was challenged by Whiskey with Struan Grant Ralph.  And spent hours upon hours in the tasting tents.

All in all the weekend was one for the books and a must for any food and wine loving soul.  My calendars are already marked for AFWF 2015!  TGIF Loves.  truly, MKR

*All images original to Waiting On Martha

**Big thanks to Dominique Love, Elizabeth Feichter, and 360 Media who made the weekend possible.