The City of Alpharetta is working with chefs to prepare a night of delicious culinary fun presented at the 18th Annual Taste of Alpharetta from 5 to 10 pm on Thursday May 15 along Old Milton Parkway at Wills Park.
The City of Alpharetta is working with chefs to prepare a night of delicious culinary fun presented at the 18th Annual Taste of Alpharetta from 5 to 10 pm on Thursday May 15 along Old Milton Parkway at Wills Park.
From its beginning 18 years ago with just four restaurants in the park across from City Hall, the event has become the largest “Taste of” festival in the South. Now an annual tradition for 70,000 families, foodies and festival-goers, Taste of Alpharetta showcases 60-70 area restaurants ranging from Sage Wood Fire Tavern, to Village Tavern, to dessert with Ben & Jerrys. The restaurants serve up an amazing array of appetizers, entrees and desserts from their menus for just $1-3 per sample. Tickets may be purchased the evening of the Taste or pre-purchased at Alpharetta City Hall.
“We look forward to this night of fun each year as our community enjoys foods from a variety of fine dining to fast casual restaurants,” said Mayor Arthur Letchas. “It is a special experience for so many residents in Alpharetta and visitors, alike.”
While dining, relax and enjoy the concert stage and lawn in Wills Park where blankets can be spread on the grass to enjoy live music. To kick off the evening, high school performers from Rising Talents of ATLanta (RTA) will entertain from an array of popular artists. RTA is a non-profit corporation that presents an annual program of education and scholarships to talented high school vocalists. They teach vocalists the techniques and skills needed to become successful entertainers. RTA’s program includes the creation of a variety musical revue in collaboration with top professional musicians held at a major local venue each year.
The nationally acclaimed band State of Man will perform, offering a powerful rock/alternative/soul sound that landed the Atlanta-based group in the Top 10 of Billboard Hot 100 Singles and on the National Budweiser True Music Campaign last year. The band is currently on a break from touring for U.S. military troops stationed overseas. The evening will close on a relaxing note with smooth sounds from jazz favorite Kompani lead by Brian Clay.
The Culinary Arts Area featuring chef competitions, culinary demonstrations and exhibits has been added to attract the growing number of festival-goers with a taste for everything culinary. A competition kitchen will pair top area chefs against one another in contests for Best Appetizer, Best Fast Casual Entree, Best Fine Dining Entrée, Best Dessert and People’s Choice Award. Judges will be Atlanta Cuisine editor, Tom Maicon; freelance restaurant writer who contributes to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Helen Cauley; director of Salud! Cooking & Lifestyle School at Whole Foods Market, Ashley Brooke; and food writer, cooking show host, and food editor for North Fulton Living Magazine, Hans Rueffert.
Restaurant awards will be hosted on the concert stage by CBS 46 “Restaurant Report Card” correspondent Adam Murphy, who is featured nationally in Jezebel magazine’s restaurant column and also pens a monthly column for The Sunday Paper.
After dining at all of their favorite restaurants in one night, Taste of Alpharetta families can look forward to playing at Wacky World and on the dozens of fun inflatable activities offered in the Kids Zone. Children can also enjoy candy, spin, sand and balloon art as well as face painting. A Fun Zone has been added for older kids and teens to include karaoke, henna tattoos, ceramic art, sand art, and more.
Thirteen metro Atlanta radio stations will add to the evening’s entertainment. Festival-goers can also stroll through the Community Corner to learn more about local clubs, outreach organizations and charities such as Young Life, Junior League and the YMCA.
The 18th Annual Taste of Alpharetta is proud to have Bowen Family Homes, City of Alpharetta, Comcast, Nalley Automotive Roswell (Audi, Chrysler/Jeep, Jaguar and Lexus), Publix Super Market Charities, Inc., as our Premier Sponsors; AT&T Real Yellow Pages and Flagstar Bank as our Platinum Sponsors; ADP, Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau, DeVry University/Georgia, Georgia Power Company as our Gold Sponsors; Atlanta Gas Light Company, Natural Body Spa & Shoppe, Taylor Construction Company, and The Ultimate Gutterguard by Southern as our Silver Sponsors.
New this year is our free shuttle system. Park and ride shuttle options will be available at Alpharetta City Hall (on South Main Street), Publix Super Market (on Old Milton Parkway at Haynes Bridge), Milton Center (the old Milton High School at Milton Avenue), Old Milton Parkway (Alpharetta Community Center at Old Milton Parkway). Admission, shuttle and parking for the 18th Annual Taste of Alpharetta are FREE. Park and walk options available at the Wills Park Equestrian Center (on Wills Road) and Alpharetta Community (on Roswell Street). Shuttles provided by Georgia Trolley Service and Great Knight Tours.
For more information phone (678) 297-6000 ext. 1006.
PHOTOS, EVENT MAP AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST (678) 297-6078.