Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Returns In June

This June, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns with a four-day Southern food extravaganza. Located in the heart of this vibrant city at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, the renowned festival celebrates its seventh anniversary since Dominique Love and Elizabeth Feichter launched the first iteration in 2010. Since then, the veritable "feastival" has expanded its menu to offer experiences for every type of foodie, including the expert, the amateur, and the casual partaker.

The festival (affectionately described as "one part conference and one part party") features more than 180 chefs, pitmasters, sommeliers, mixologists, and more — all from the South. There are a range of ticket options so that attendees can customize their experience specifically to cater to their particular palate. Experiences include individual tasting tent passes, which offer an all-you-can-eat (and drink) opportunity to taste the South, as well as dinners and evening events such as private meals hosted by regional chefs and master classes dedicated to a particular food or drink topic. Furthermore, the festival provides learning experiences like cooking and grilling classes, technique classes, and tasting seminars.

For the seasoned food expert willing to invest in the "Connoisseur" ticketed series, the festival offers an opportunity to indulge in exclusive meals with acclaimed chefs and to delve into various masterclasses and tasting experiences.

For the amateur, the individual tasting tent pass allows food enthusiasts of all stripes to taste a wide array of Southern food and beverages. Located in Piedmont Park, the tasting tents will be open Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoon and are $85 per day for an all-inclusive food and drink fiesta.

For the casual partaker, "Destination Delicious," the opening night event at the Stave Room at American Spirit Works is a must-do. This kickoff party will feature food and music from all 13 Southern states in an elegant, urban setting. Tickets are $55.

Ultimately, for all types of food lovers, the festival intends to share the food and cultural vibrancy of the South so that attendees #KnowTheSouth, which is the festival's official hashtag. Whether for just a night or for the entire weekend, attendees will experience the savory and sweet soul of South — through their stomachs.

Tickets are now on sale online. The full festival schedule is also available.