Tasting Notes From Taste of Atlanta

by Shermika Dunner

Thousands of people convened on Tech Square in Atlanta’s Midtown for the 10th annual Taste of Atlanta October 22-23. With delicacies like duck fried rice, gyros, fall off the bone ribs and grilled corn, the event offered a taste from over 80 restaurants. My sister and I attended both days, which served as a great way to ring in the fall (as well as fill our tummies).

Food Network’s Aarón Sanchez was on hand wowing participants with his unique Latin-inspired cooking and was kind enough to snap a pic with us Southern belles (that’s me on the left). DBA Barbecue and Jim ‘N Nick’s, which took home the “most tastes sold” award, competed in a BBQ Showdown. Barbecue vendors were also heavily represented at the food booths, and other Southern favorites included fried green tomatoes, banana pudding and lowcountry boils.

Cooking demonstrations also took place throughout, and a highlight this year was JCT. Kitchen and No. 246’s chefs Ford Fry and Drew Belline presenting a “Simply Southern Thanksgiving.” As VIPs, we were treated to unlimited wine and beer samplings and able to vote in the Best Bartender Competition, won by Tyler Nelson of Leon’s Full Service.

Taste of Atlanta has something for every kind of foodie and truly presents a taste of what the dining mecca has to offer these days. If you haven’t had a chance to experience it, I suggest you put it on your to-do list for 2012. You won’t leave hungry!

Click here to see more photos from Taste of Atlanta.