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Home Plate Main Stage

Join Taste of Atlanta as we showcase the amazing chefs that have helped put Atlanta on the culinary map. Learn from top chefs as they create their favorite recipes, share their passion for food and show off their impressive culinary skills.

Demos will feature 2 chefs going head to head on the main stage. Watch these culinary craftsmen tackle special ingredients, head-to-head challenges, unique recipes and more.
Visit the Grill Dome Site

Your Home Plate Stage Emcee

Holly Firfer

Taste of Atlanta welcomes Holly Firfer to the festival as host and emcee of the Home Plate Stage. Holly will fire up the crowd to cheer on our dueling chef demos. Holly is an Emmy nominated journalist who you have seen covering everything from hurricanes to floods to celebrity trials, campaign trails and sporting events for CNN. She is also heard on the radio on 94.1/ Star94 in Atlanta on the weekends.

Holly is active in many charities and actively raises money for cancer research and animal shelters. She has also lent her efforts to the fight against autism and diabetes. Holly is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a graduate of Northwestern University. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling with her husband Shawn, and being a "mom" to their many animals.

Saturday Schedule

11:30 - 12:00

HEFG ProStart Culinary Competition Champions

South Forsyth High School

Cheer on the team at South Forsyth High School that won first place in this year's Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia (HEFG) ProStart Culinary competition. , as they share their skills along with the recipe for one of their victorious dishes.

Vanilla-Bean Panna Cotta with Seasonal Fruit Salad, White Chocolate Coconut "Rocher," and Strawberry Soup

 

12:30 - 1:15

Almost Famous

White Oak Kitchen and Cocktails Chef Ben Vaughn; Sweet Auburn BBQ, and Atlanta Food Truck Park & Market, Howard Hsu

Don't miss this opportunity to know the next ones to watch! Meet Atlanta's freshly seasoned, up-and-coming authorities as they discuss their journeys and the main ingredients to standing out in a competitive culinary scene.

Ben Vaughn: Roasted Local Quail with Toasted Brioche, Homemade Bacon and Taleggio Cheese. Howard Hsu: Lemongrass & Peanut Smoked Pork Ribs

 

1:45 - 2:30

Chopped Challenge: Facebook Face Off

ecco Chef Craig Richards; DBA Barbecue, Matt Coggin

Two of Atlanta's most social restaurants will go against the clock to prepare a unique dish with a basket of ingredients determined by your suggestions. A few select foodies who are fans and followers of Taste of Atlanta's social media outlets will determine which chef ends up on the chopping block.
 

3:00 - 3:45

$20 Dinner

No. 246 Chef Drew Belline; Seven Lamps Chef Drew van Leuvan

$20 never tasted so good! During this segment, originally a popular column initiated by Creative Loafing, Atlanta chefs will raid their pantries and incorporate a few key ingredients to bring you recipes that won't break the budget.

Drew Belline:Bucatini with Sapelo Island Clams. Drew van Leuvan - Ricotta Gnudi with roasted mushrooms, spicy sausage meatballs, roasted mushrooms, grana and local herbs.

4:15 - 5:00

Lobster Tales

Gordon Biersch Chef Chris Nortin; Buckhead Bottle Bar Chef Jason Ellis

Whether the mammoth claws or the succulent tail is your preference, lobster reigns the supreme seafood! Join two Atlanta chefs as they crack the case on these meaty crustaceans.

Chef Jason Ellis, Buckhead Bottle Bar: Lobster & Chocolate
Chef Chris Norton, Gordon Biersch, Lobster Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

Sunday Schedule

11:30 - 12:00

HEFG ProStart Culinary Competition Champions

Pope High School

Cheer on the team at Pope High School that won second place in this year's Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia (HEFG) ProStart Culinary competition, as they share their skills along with the recipe for one of their victorious dishes.

Spicy Tuna Tartare, Savory Avocado Ice Cream, with Asian Greens in Yuzu Vinaigrette and Handcrafted Tortilla Crisps

12:30 - 1:15

Food that Rocks

Alex Cooley, Legendary Concert Promoter; Francine Reed, Legendary Blues Singer; Joyce Murdoch, Mother's Finest; Ford Fry, JCT. Kitchen

Wave your lighters in the air and gather around this gastronomic mosh pit! Get your backstage passes to meet and of course, eat, with renowned Atlantans who have an ear for music and a taste for rockin food.
 

1:45 - 2:30

All in the Family

4th & Swift, Owner and Executive Jay Swift and his son Chef Jeb Aldrich

These family trees are peppered with toques! Two Atlanta foodie families share the roots of their passion in the kitchen as well as the challenges of keeping the business all in the family.

Lamb Meatballs with Polenta Mousseline

 

3:00 - 3:45

Clean Eating

Cibo e Beve, Chef Linda Harrell Terry Walters, Author of Clean Foods

Discover the benefits of eating foods in their natural state and learn how to make food choices ideal for optimal health with our esteemed members of Les Dames d'Escoffier!

Pan Seared Salmon with a Mediterranean Red Quinoa Salad, Raw Kale Confetti Salad with Toasted Sunflower Seeds

 

4:15 - 5:00

Le Cordon Bleu

Chef Benny Vega

Tricks of the Trade with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts: A former toque in training takes the stage to provide expert tips and tricks for making a restaurant-worthy meal at home.

Chef Benny Vega: Gluten Free Drunken Pork Sliders

 
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