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Thursday, June 2
 

12:00pm EDT

Entrepreneurs Program
Limited Capacity full
For the second year, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is collaborating with Craft Catalyst, LLC, an Atlanta-based brand accelerator that works with early-stage food and beverage companies, to offer a special program for Southern food and beverage entrepreneurs. The program will provide participants the opportunity to gain valuable insight from successful food and beverage industry entrepreneurs with emphasis on Innovation, Brand-Building, Scalability and Value Creation. Ticket includes access to the keynote luncheon, 3 classes and closing reception. Topics focused on Innovation, Brand-Building, Scalability and Value Creation.
Speakers
RG
BG
JL
HD
AH
JD
AR
KS
MR
AO
RJ
KK
HR
MB
LO
SB
AJ

Sponsors
CC
SL

Thursday June 2, 2016 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Dinners & Events, Conference

7:30pm EDT

Destination Delicious
Limited Capacity seats available
We're building the ultimate road trip with delicious chef creations, fantastic libations, live music and our favorite Southern destinations. Presented by The Local Palate, Destination Delicious will showcase the flavors and traditions of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and more.
Thursday June 2, 2016 7:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
American Spirit Works
  Dinners & Events, Thursday Party
 
Friday, June 3
 

2:30pm EDT

Toast
Limited Capacity seats available
Let us raise a glass to a weekend of good cheer
With food, wine, bourbon and craft beer
With eaters, drinkers and passionate Southern thinkers
Let us laugh, love and have good fun
With Midtown as our home under a lovely Spring sun
But most of all let only good flavors touch our lips as
we eat, drink, savor and sip

Join the Festival Founders, Advisory Council and the rest of the weekend's stars as we raise a glass to toast the start of the 2016 Festival. Cheers!
Speakers
OG

Friday June 3, 2016 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hote, Lobby
  Learning Experiences, Toast

3:30pm EDT

A Bartender Stumbled into a Kitchen
Limited Capacity full
Join us for Part II of our wildly popular “A Chef Walked into a Bar” class from 2015. In this iteration, there is still no punchline, but we are staying true to the eye-opening, palate-pleasing collaboration of food and spirits. Participants will explore the melding of food and spirits from the two best sources - a chef and a bartender.
Speakers
GC

Friday June 3, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #1

3:30pm EDT

Cocktail Technique Lab: The History of Blended Drinks
Limited Capacity seats available

In 1936, inventor Fred Osius approached Fred Waring about helping him perfect his device to achieve a "disintegrating mix." And a short time later, Charles H. Baker Jr proclaimed, "I don't know Mr. Waring, but I sure like the song he sings." The biggest advancement in cocktail technique since putting two tins together has been the blender. Here we will look at the way blenders have shaped cocktails in the 20th century.

Speakers
AA
RG

Friday June 3, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #1

3:30pm EDT

Dissecting a Distillery from A-Z
Limited Capacity seats available
B is for Bung and T is for Thief. Ever heard those terms? In this seminar, Nelson Brothers Charlie and Andy will guide guests on a tour through the world of distilling, giving participants the chance to taste their way from A-Z.
Speakers
AN

Friday June 3, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #1

3:30pm EDT

Early Drinks
Limited Capacity seats available
From pre-Columbian Tejate in Central and South America to the early drinks of the Colonies, some early American drinks were known for their industriousness and necessity. In this tasting seminar, guests will taste and learn why these drinks were so essential to life back when.
Speakers
PC

Friday June 3, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #1

3:30pm EDT

Hotel Room Cocktails
Limited Capacity seats available
We’ve all been there… rummaging through the mini-bar trying to see what we can make using only the resources (read: liquor) that are immediately available. Join , local cocktail genius, as she invites you into her own home-away-from-home for Fesival Weekend, for some hand-made libations and good conversations. You’ll never rely on the hotel bar again.
Speakers
TB

Friday June 3, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #1

5:00pm EDT

Biscuits, Doughnuts & Bourbon
Limited Capacity full
For breakfast, lunch or dinner, a biscuit is always appropriate in the South… and when paired with Bourbon? You have an unbeatable combination. In this session, guests will have the full experience; explore the history of biscuits with a Biscuit Master, make doughnuts with a Pastry Queen, all while playing a drinking game. Perfect for the multi-tasker, this class will leave with you a wealth of knowledge, recipes, and appreciation for baking with bourbon.
Speakers
TM

Friday June 3, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #2

5:00pm EDT

Cocktail Technique Lab: Celebration of the '&' Drinks
Limited Capacity seats available
Seemingly simple cocktails, '&' drinks are much more influential than what meets the eye. Rum & Coke, Gin & Tonic, Bourbon & Ginger are all timeless favorites, and this seminar gives them and other highballs the celebration they deserve!
Speakers
JS

Friday June 3, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #2

5:00pm EDT

DIY Tito's
Limited Capacity filling up
We’re bringing back a 2015 favorite to help you upgrade your homemade vodka cocktail. Guests will learn the intricacies of DIY Vodka infusions and how to make use of them in this cocktail tasting and technique seminar. Master the art of do-it-yourself infusions with a variety of ingredients, and leave with recipes to enjoy at home. Also, it’s Tito’s, so need we say more?
Speakers
TH

Sponsors
TV

Friday June 3, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #2

5:00pm EDT

Fine Tequila vs. Fine Bourbon (Connoisseur Only)
Limited Capacity full
Believe it or not, tequila is not a spirit that is limited to your vacation margarita! While it is quite different from bourbon, the high-end tequila and high-end bourbon spirits have a lot in common (besides the exquisite flavors of both). In this Connoisseur seminar, attendees will taste and learn about the best of both spirits – Tears of Llorona and Pappy Van Winkle - and discuss the production, origins, similarities and differences between the two reigning spirits. Open to Connoisseur Pass holders only.
Speakers
GG

Friday June 3, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, Connoisseur Lounge
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #2C

5:00pm EDT

The First Spirit of America: Rum
Limited Capacity seats available
Chasing the spirit of America? Leave your politics at the door and come ready to talk about the real American spirit - Rum. From historic cocktails that our forefathers sipped on to today's commonly consumed libations, this seminar leads guests on a voyage through the history and distilling process of the affectionately termed “Kill-Devil.” Get ready to drink like a sailor.
Speakers
WC

Friday June 3, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Friday Session #2

6:30pm EDT

Friday Tasting Tents: Friday Night Bites
Limited Capacity seats available
Designed to take guests on an epicurean journey through the South, the Festival’s Tasting Tents are not the typical festival tasting experience. The all-you-can-indulge layout allows guests the opportunity to eat, drink and explore the region’s top food and drink products and chef creations while also celebrating international influences that have shaped our region. Tasting Tent tickets are inclusive of all samples once inside the Tents. *For the first time, the Friday Tasting Tents will take place in the evening. In honor of the new time, we're deeming this session: Friday Night Bites - the sport of Southern food and drink!*
Friday June 3, 2016 6:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Piedmont Park
  Tasting Tents, Friday

7:30pm EDT

Connoisseur Dinner Series: Eat. Drink. Art. Music.
Limited Capacity filling up
Award-winning authors Matt Lee and Ted Lee have returned to AF&WF to create an immersive and intimate dinner experience designed to give guests up-close access to award-winning talent while eating, drinking and delving deeper into South's epicurean culture. The Eat. Drink. Art. Music. dinner will be a unique collaboration of chefs working together on each element of the meal, like a band works together on a song, and will include award-winning wines, live music and gorgeous art.
Moderators
TL
ML

Speakers
SS
JG
MF
AM
PP

Friday June 3, 2016 7:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
Private Home
  Dinners & Events, Connoisseur Dinner Series

7:30pm EDT

Geaux South
Limited Capacity seats available
Louisiana is a state that runs deep in tradition. These traditions play homage to the blends of French, Spanish, African, Sicilian, Caribbean, Irish, German and America Indian cultures that contributed to the complex cultural landscape that shines in every city corner and in the heart of every Cajun, Creole, or Louisiana transplant. Join us in a celebration of the state that gave us jambalaya, beignets, and the muffuletta (among other things…). We’re adding a dash of country comfort and a pinch of sophistication to some of the best food in the South, which means our guests should come prepared to savor forkfuls of the traditions, culture, and culinary perfection that have earned the state it’s legacy. Party like a Cajun at this outdoor evening event, which will feature classic dishes from a team of Louisiana chefs, two whole hogs over a live fire, a live zydeco band, craft beer, wine and specialty cocktails from the Cure New Orleans team.
Moderators
CB

Speakers
RG
JG
MG
BL
RA
JM

Sponsors
L

Friday June 3, 2016 7:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
ATL Contemporary Arts Center
  Dinners & Events, Sponsor Louisiana
 
Saturday, June 4
 

9:00am EDT

Connoisseur Breakfast: Showdown from H-Town
Limited Capacity seats available
Often referred to as the “dining capital of the US,” Houston’s food scene is hot and the ethnic diversity of the city made for fantastic flavor combinations. From Tex-Mex and Creole to Vietnamese, Houston’s foodways are a melding of tradition, international flavors and local ingredients. For our Connoisseur breakfast, Chef Bryan Caswell and friends will tell their Houston food stories though delicious breakfast creations.
Speakers
BC
MD
RK

Sponsors
VH

Saturday June 4, 2016 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, Connoisseur Lounge
  Dinners & Events, Connoisseur Breakfast

10:00am EDT

Apéritifs
Limited Capacity seats available
Aperitifs, an important part of many European dining traditions, are appetite-stimulating beverages that are sipped before a meal – like an alcoholic appetizer. Light, clean and crisp, they are designed to prepare the palate for the meal without being overwhelming or sedating. American drinkers have likely sampled the European aperitif in the form of a Martini, Ameircano, Manhattan or Negroni. During this class, participants will taste and appreciate a variety of aperitifs, while learning their purpose and history in Southern culinary traditions.
Speakers
AH
MO

Saturday June 4, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #1

10:00am EDT

Cocktail Technique Lab: Cocktail Science
Limited Capacity filling up
While the art of making cocktails is often heralded, the science is often overlooked. Temperature, diffusion and dilution are all important terminology in this seminar. Known for innovation and exciting flavor profiles, William Grant & Sons has a reputation for their revolutionary style and attention to the smaller details, including the what, why, and how of making a great cocktail. Cocktail master and brand ambassador Navarro Carr will give participants a behind-the-scenes look into the world of mixology. Make sure you brush up on your Periodic Table knowledge, because it’s gonna get pretty scientific.
Speakers
NC

Saturday June 4, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #1

10:00am EDT

Cocktails and Cheese Please
Limited Capacity full
Common questions asked of the cocktail lover: Shaken or stirred? Single or double? Neat or on the rocks? This tasting seminar continues the cocktail tailoring and will ask participants a simple question: “Goat or Sheep?” To the delight of Southern cheese fans, two experts in their craft will lead guests through an exploration of the expansive world of cheese, cocktails, and the pairings of the two.
Speakers
LT

Saturday June 4, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #1

10:00am EDT

Cognac and It's Place in Cocktails
Limited Capacity seats available
It’s the Spirit of the Gods, yet often overlooked in terms of its use in cocktails. During pre-Prohibition times this grape-based spirit was the base for many a punch, sour, and many of our contemporary whiskey-based drinks (even mint juleps!). In this tasting seminar lead by an expert on the subject, guests will explore the world of cognac - what it is, where it went, and why it should be included in everyone's drinking repertoire.
Speakers
MM

Saturday June 4, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #1

10:00am EDT

GINspiration
Limited Capacity seats available
She’s Kentucky’s first female Master Distiller since Prohibition, and she’s coming in with a bang. Marianne Barnes is leading production at a new distillery in a Castle with an inspiring Key ingredient. Seminar participants will be led on an exploration through the world of gin and gin distilling. From the botanicals and the infusion process, to a story of Southern revival, guests will leave feeling totally GINspired.
Speakers
MB

Saturday June 4, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #1

10:00am EDT

Hotel Room Cocktails
Limited Capacity seats available
We’ve all been there… rummaging through the mini-bar trying to see what we can make using only the resources (read: liquor) that are immediately available. Join local cocktail genius, as she invites you into her own home-away-from-home for Festival Weekend, for some hand-made libations and good conversations. You’ll never rely on the hotel bar again.
Speakers
TB

Saturday June 4, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #1

10:00am EDT

Masterclass: Breakfast Batched - In-depth Food & Drink Pairings to Start the Day
Limited Capacity seats available
Move beyond the traditional mimosa and explore a broad range of wines and cocktails to start (and drink throughout) the day and with food as the side kick. This Masterclass will delve into iconic cocktails by The 86 Co. demonstrating the broad consumption possibilities when thoughtfully paired with a variety of foods from breakfast to lunch. This is the perfect class for the imbiber who wants to expand his or her drink repertoire.
Speakers
MT
AC
CC

Saturday June 4, 2016 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Vineyard in the City
  Masterclass, Saturday MC1

11:30am EDT

Cocktail Technique Lab: Fancy Pants Mixology at Home
Limited Capacity full
For the DIY-fanatics that aren’t brave enough to knock down walls, we’ve got a seminar for you. Mixologist Todd Thrasher will guide Fancy-Pants drinkers, homebodies, and aspiring barkeeps through the ins-and-outs of cocktail construction. Get ready to get creative with accessible ingredients and pantry staples, and become an instant mixologist without ever leaving the kitchen.
Speakers
TT

Saturday June 4, 2016 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #2

11:30am EDT

Nothing New Under the Aztec Sun
Limited Capacity seats available
It’s not new, but Mezcal has officially gone mainstream. In this spirits seminar, guests will learn about the rise and fall (and rise again) of Mexican spirits. The rebirth of the Prohibition-era craft-cocktail trend is driving attention to Mexico and the authenticity of the spirits produced in the country. Explore the ins-and-outs of the Mezcal boom and what it predicts for the coming era of sotol, raicilla and Bacanora in the United States and beyond.
Speakers
CS

Saturday June 4, 2016 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #2

11:30am EDT

Rhum Gets All French West Indies
Limited Capacity full
From unglamorous beginnings in the hands of Pirates to the more premium spirits we sip today, the history of rum in the Caribbean runs long, deep, and rich. A comparatively overlooked region when it comes to the production of rum, the French West Indies produces a variety of spirits that are great as a complement to a meal, in a daiquiri, and hold their own when unpaired. Seminar participants will discover and taste West Indie Rum so good that you’ll forget to mind your French.
Speakers
SB

Saturday June 4, 2016 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #2

1:00pm EDT

Cocktail Technique Lab: Laying 'Em Low: an Anecdotal History of the South's Secret Weapon, Chatham Artillery Punch
Limited Capacity seats available
Punch is no longer a drink for holidays and middle school dances. Cocktail historian David Wondrich is spearheading the revival of the Southern punch in a culture that largely celebrates crafted cocktails and craft beers. This seminar will immerse guests deep into the history of Chatham Artillery Punch, a drink out of Savannah that (no pun intended) packs a solid punch. Three different varieties of this citrus-based beverage will be explored, and guests will leave with a newfound appreciation for rebirth of a Savannah original.
Speakers
DW

Saturday June 4, 2016 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #3

1:00pm EDT

Road Trip Series: South Carolina
Limited Capacity full
Those South Carolinians have always had a thirst for unique beverages. From moonshine and craft beer to sweet tea, hear about Southern drinks from the “curly ladies who talk cocktails daily!” In this seminar, led by South Carolina’s Cocktail Bandits, guests will taste the history and tradition of the Palmetto State. Join the adventure and discover the craftsmanship and stories behind some of the state’s most iconic drinks.
Speakers
JC

Sponsors
SC

Saturday June 4, 2016 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #3

1:00pm EDT

Why Rye
Limited Capacity filling up
We all love Bourbon in the South, but what exactly do we love so much? Join Four Roses Bourbon in this seminar to explore beyond the basics of bourbon, and delve into the use and importance of Rye. Participants, led by Master Distiller Brent Elliot, will learn the history, experience differences in age and style, and taste bourbons high in rye.
Speakers
BE

Sponsors
FR

Saturday June 4, 2016 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Learning Experiences, Saturday Session #3

1:00pm EDT

Masterclass: Rare Breeds - An Exploration of Fine Country Ham & Bourbon
Limited Capacity full
Perfect for the seekers of the hard to find, this intimate Masterclass will explore rare and limited-quantity bourbons, while pairing them with equally special country hams. With award-winning chef Sean Brock as the host and bourbon distillers Drew Kulsveen, Willett Family Estate single barrel bourbon, and Preston Van Winkle, Old Rip Van Winkle, your taste buds will rejoice and your friends will be jealous.
Speakers
DK
SB

Saturday June 4, 2016 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
1065 Midtown
  Masterclass, Saturday MC2

2:30pm EDT

Saturday Tasting Tents
Limited Capacity seats available
Designed to take guests on an epicurean journey through the South, the Festival’s Tasting Tents are not the typical festival tasting experience. The all-you-can-indulge layout allows guests the opportunity to eat, drink and explore the region’s top food and drink products and chef creations while also celebrating international influences that have shaped our region. Tasting Tent tickets are inclusive of all samples once inside the Tents.

Saturday June 4, 2016 2:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Piedmont Park
  Tasting Tents, Saturday

7:30pm EDT

Connoisseur Dinner Series: New Asian Inflection
Limited Capacity filling up
Award-winning authors Matt Lee and Ted Lee have returned to AF&WF to create an immersive and intimate dinner experience designed to give guests up-close access to award-winning talent while eating, drinking and delving deeper into South's epicurean culture. The New Asian Inflection dinner will explore what is and what was the Asian influence on Southern food, discovering the essences of heat, spice, funk and flavor. The multi-course meal will be paired with award-winning wines and cocktails to bring out the best flavors of each dish.
Moderators
TL
ML

Speakers
MO
KA
CK
FW
SG
BB
TT

Saturday June 4, 2016 7:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
Private Home
  Dinners & Events, Connoisseur Dinner Series

7:30pm EDT

Rathbuns' Watch List
Limited Capacity seats available
For the fifth year, all eyes will be on the South's food, beverage and design talent at the Rathbuns' Watch List party. Presented by ADAC, this annual soiree merges Southern style and good taste. A group of hand-selected, interior designers, chefs and mixologists collaborate on the build-out of the ADAC space and the creation of delicious bites and beverages. The end result is an evening that is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Moderators
KR

Speakers
SB
MF
JB
LD
MH
JH
JG
ID
BK
AB
DH
SH
TT
LP
DN
JM
TY
JL
CJ
KS
DS


Saturday June 4, 2016 7:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
ADAC
  Dinners & Events, Saturday Party
 
Sunday, June 5
 

12:00pm EDT

Sunday Brunch
Limited Capacity seats available
It simply isn't Sunday in the South without a fantastic brunch! Once again, Festival Advisory Council members and their friends will share their creations with family-style service inspired by Kevin GIllespie's Gunshow restaurant. The brunch will take place at the Loews Atlanta Hotel and feature decadent food, brunch libations and live music.
Speakers
JL
GB
KR
KG
DN
MP
JW
DC
AK
RR
JB
CS
HT

Sunday June 5, 2016 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Dinners & Events, Brunch

12:00pm EDT

Sunday Brunch VIP
Limited Capacity filling up
It simply isn't Sunday in the South without a fantastic brunch! Once again, Festival Advisory Council members and their friends will share their creations with family-style service inspired by Kevin GIllespie's Gunshow restaurant. The VIP brunch will take place at Vineyard in the City and feature decadent food, brunch libations and live music.
Speakers
FA

Sunday June 5, 2016 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
  Dinners & Events, Brunch VIP

1:30pm EDT

Sunday Tasting Tents
Limited Capacity seats available
Designed to take guests on an epicurean journey through the South, the Festival’s Tasting Tents are not the typical festival tasting experience. The all-you-can-indulge layout allows guests the opportunity to eat, drink and explore the region’s top food and drink products and chef creations while also celebrating international influences that have shaped our region. Tasting Tent tickets are inclusive of all samples once inside the Tents.
Sunday June 5, 2016 1:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont Park
  Tasting Tents, Sunday
 
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  • Dinners & Events
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    • 1065 Midtown
    ADAC
    American Spirit Works
    ATL Contemporary Arts Center
    Loews Atlanta Hote, Lobby
    Loews Atlanta Hotel
    Loews Atlanta Hotel, 14th Floor
    Loews Atlanta Hotel, Connoisseur Lounge
    Piedmont Park
    Private Home
    Vineyard in the City