1st Georgia Food & Wine Festival Set In Marietta: What To Know

MARIETTA, GA — A new food and drink tasting festival is coming to Marietta this week, showcasing Georgia’s diverse culinary culture, celebrity chefs and winemakers, local artisans, local restaurants and more.

The first Georgia Food & Wine Festival is taking over Jim Miller Park from March 24-27, featuring “a variety of events for all tastebuds,” according to the website.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday events are only for those age 21 and older; Sunday events are family-friendly. No dogs or pets are allowed at any event venues on any day.

Created and produced by two of the South’s leading festival event management companies, the all-inclusive food and drink tasting festival showcases local restaurants, Georgia celebrity chefs and winemakers, the 2021 “Best of Cobb” winners, artisans, musicians, vendors and others.

There’s also a silent auction benefitting MUST Ministries, which opened March 17 and closes Sunday at 5 p.m. To bid and donate, visit this link to view silent auction items. You don’t have to be present at the festival to win.

Tickets range in price depending on which event you plan to attend, but ticket packages are also available for attending multiple events. Single-event tickets run from $45-$165, while ticket packages run from $145-$290.

You can buy tickets online at georgiafoodandwinefestival.com.

Here’s a look at what’s planned for the festival, ticket prices, event details and more:

Thursday, March 24

Drinks, Meat ‘n Three

This fun festival kick-off luncheon offers whiskey, beer and wine tastings, as well as a variety of Meat ‘n Three lunch plate combos.

• Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $45 per person (single ticket); $190 per person in the All-In Package, $290 per person in the Big Peach All-In VIP Package.
• Event type: Indoor/outdoor, rain or shine.
• Attire & Info: Casual attire, 21 years and older.

“Best of Cobb”

The “Best of Cobb” showcases the 2021 winners of Cobb Life Magazine and Marietta Daily Journal’s Best of Cobb contest, which recognizes business and service providers of the reader-decided contest with more than 460,000 votes.

Live music at the Best of Cobb VIP lounge features two of the members of the Atmosphere Quintet: Ollie and Ashleigh, named Atmosphere Duo.

• Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $20 (general admission), $70 (VIP).
• Event type: Indoor/outdoor, rain or shine.
• Attire & Info: Casual attire, 21 years and older.

Friday, March 25

Classes from the Georgia Masters

Four classes from culinary and wine experts are offered throughout the day Friday at Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria ballroom. Attendees will get to sample demonstration recipe tastings and special beverage pairings with each class. Some guest chef demonstration classes may include an autographed copy of a cookbook or book.

Class 1, titled “Best of Sparkling Wines,” features advanced Sommelier Eric Crane and Chef Graciela Felize with Gabriel’s Bakery.

Class 2 features Michael McNeill, master sommelier with Georgia Crown, presenting a select tasting of Delicato Family Wines as well as tastings from a to-be-determined guest chef.

Class 3 features chef, farmer and author Matthew Raiford demonstrating a recipe from his cookbook “Bress ‘n Nyam: Gullah Geechee Recipes from a Sixth Generation Farmer.”

Class 4, titled “Whiskey and The Saltwater Table,” features Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” Whitney Otawka with recipes from her most recent cookbook and a premium whiskey tasting flight with Beam Suntory beverage expert Tim Heuisler.

• Time (overall): 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Class 1: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Class 2: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Class 3: 2-3 p.m.
  • Class 4: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $70 per person per class; $240 per person for all four classes.
• Event type: Indoor
• Attire & Info: Casual attire, 21 years and older.

Fired Up

Celebrate everything grilled, smoked and barbecued at the all-inclusive Fired Up, one of the key events of the festival, featuring a wide variety of the best barbecue in the South.

Beef, pork, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes will be available to taste, and there will also be live music, wine, beer and spirits tastings in a souvenir glass. Live music guests include Big Oak Tree and The Weekend Getaway Band.

View the full list of restaurant and beverage participants online here.

• Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $85 per person (single ticket); available in six packages ranging in price from $145-$290 per person.
• Event type: Outdoor, rain or shine.
• Attire & Info: Casual attire, 21 years and older.

Saturday, March 26

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