This year’s Taste of Atlanta returns to Technology Square in the heart of Midtown on Oct. 21, 22 and 23 for its 15th year. More than 90 Atlanta restaurants will be there, serving up their best bites and beverages. Among those culinary savants are some of our favorite Buckhead chefs. We chatted with three of them to see what they’re most looking forward to about this annual fall foodie event.
Drew Van Leuvan
Executive chef, Seven Lamps
When and where will you be at Taste of Atlanta?
Seven Lamps will be participating in two events: the Friday Night Kick-Off Party, and we’ll be doing a demo Saturday at 12:45 p.m. about how to prepare, cook and serve chicken sausage.
What do you like most about this festival?
I enjoy watching and interacting with many people about what I take for granted—cooking. Taste of Atlanta offers people a wonderful opportunity to learn from professional chefs and beverage managers from around the South.
What are you most looking forward to?
Every year, I find it interesting to see what each of us brings to showcase. Everyone is so talented; it makes the event so much fun to walk around and mingle and taste the chefs’ creations.
Seven Lamps
3400 Around Lenox Road
Atlanta 30326
404.467.8950
sevenlampsatl.com
Nick Leahy
Chef/partner, Saltyard
When and where will you be at Taste of Atlanta?
This year, I’m doing the wing competition on the Thursday night in conjunction with Springer Mountain. I’m also doing the Friday Night Kickoff Party.
What do you like most about this festival?
I love the organizers. They really reach out and try to tailor the experience to fit the participants. I love the camaraderie among all of the industry folks who are involved. And it’s great getting to connect with the public in a less formal setting. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve done Taste of Atlanta, but it’s always a blast.
What are you most looking forward to?
The Friday Night VIP Party is always fun because it’s competitive among all the chefs. Everyone is trying to win, so we tend to pull out all the stops. There’s always some really tasty food!
Saltyard
1820 Peachtree St.
Atlanta 30309
404.382.8088
saltyardatlanta.com
Timothy Magee,
Executive chef, Davio’s
When and where will you be at Taste of Atlanta?
I’ll be participating on both Saturday and Sunday.
What are you serving?
Traditional cavatelli Bolognese—cavatelli pasta [a thick and chewy ribbed shell] with Bolognese sauce.
What do you like most about this festival?
It’s very chef and food driven, and you get to sample some of the best food from the entire city in one place. We really look forward to it each year.
What are you most looking forward to?
The food! And seeing all of our guests. We mostly want people to enjoy the food.
Davio’s
Phipps Plaza
3500 Peachtree Road
Atlanta 30326
404.844.4810
davios.com/atl
BY: Sarah Gleim
