Taste of Athens: 2015

 

Yes, the above title says 2015.

 

Why am I talking about an event that’s at least a few months away? Well, I’m about to tell you.

 

The Taste of Athens benefits Community Connection, an organization which is funded by the United Way and provides essential services to nonprofits, volunteers, and people in need in the 13 counties in Northeast Georgia. Just one example is the 211 phone number which allows people to call in and find much needed resources. Many of us, if we are in need of support, know where to find it. Or if we don’t, we can ask a friend or simple go to Google. I know it’s hard to believe, but there are some people out there who don’t have those resources.

 

Community Connection is a way to help these people, it can be everything from childcare resources to suicide prevention.

 

 

 

 

One of their biggest fundraisers has always been the Taste of Athens event, and they have been doing so for 21 years. But this year they are revamping the event and really taking advantage of the tremendous culinary talent that Athens has to offer. How so? To start off, the event will now be housed in the Atrium and Fire Hall of the Classic Center.

 

 

 

There will also be a cocktail competition “bringing in one of Athens’s most abundant resources- bartenders- into the fold and providing a more varied and dynamic experience” (from the press release). AND wine pairings for each dish, ” provided by James Beard Award-nominated sommelier Steven Grubbs and 5&10 resident sommelier Stephen James”.

 

I had the privilege to be invited as a member of the press to their tasting event a few weeks ago. I got to sample food and drinks from The Old Pal, The Branded Butcher, Seabear, The National, Homemade, and South Kitchen & Bar.

 

 

 

I may or may not have really hard core geeked out when I met Patrick Stubbers from Seabear when he realized we follow each other on Instagram. To be perfectly honest, I’m not an oyster person. But I did try the ones here, you know- because food, and they were amazing. I didn’t get the chance to ask Stubbers what it was that he did differently because by the time I turned around they were busy and I was feeling a little shy.

 

I LOVE that The Old Pal makes their own tonic water, the only other place I have found that does that is the Ice Plant in St. Augustine, Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

So yes, clearly I got to have some amazing food. But the biggest take away for me is how much this event is going to grow. It’s really going to be something that people will be paying attention to on a regional, and I believe national, scale.

 

The event will happen February 22nd, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 pm at The Classic Center. Over 1,000 people will be in attendance, with over 25 of Athens’ best restaurants, a mixology contest, live music, and wine pairings by James Beard nominated sommeliers. Basically it’s a really big party with the best food and drinks you could imagine and it all benefits those in the most need. How could you even THINK about missing this?!

 

If you want more information, just stay tuned to this site (as I will have more about it) or email Rachel Bailey at rbailey@communityconnection211.org for sponsorship opportunities and tickets.

 

I hope to see you there!

 

Love to all y’all,

 

Molly