Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival Blossoms with Chefs and Mixologists July 16

Better Boys and Early Girls, the ninth annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is your kind of fruit fest, ripe with tomato-rich treats and concoctions created by dozens of Atlanta’s best chefs and mixologists and 50 local farmer friends. A few plum personalities to look for at the Georgia Organics benefit: 5Church Atlanta chef Scotley Innis; Aria owner/chef Gerry Klaskala and mixologist Stefano Gandossi; Gunshow executive chef Joey Ward and mixologist Mercedes O’Brien; Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails executive chef Derek Dollar; Ormsby’s chef Nick Anderson; The Southern Gentleman executive chef Matthew Ridgway; and chef Tomas Lee of Midtown Takorea & Ssam Bar. Ford Fry’s tribute to summer’s revered heirlooms plants itself at Park Tavern in Midtown this Sunday, July 16 from 1-5 p.m. Like killer tomatoes, this festival flourishes rain or shine. Buy tickets in advance: $45 general admission; $40 Georgia Organics members; $125 Lexus VIP (early access and VIP area exclusives); and $74.95 “Good Grit” package including six issues of “Good Grit” magazine. A limited number of $75 general admission tickets will be available at the door. Killer tomatoes, we surrender already.

Aria, Ormsby’s, Gunshow and Milton’s Ambush Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival July 17

The stockpile is deep and ripe. Chefs, mixologists and farmers exchange code words like “Green Zebra,” “Mr. Stripey” and “Cherokee Purple” and strategies such as juice, dice, slice and fry. It’s time to roll. The Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is going down Sunday, July 17, at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park, and chefs from Aria, Ormsby’s,Gunshow and Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails are elbow deep in the action. Who will contrive the tastiest tomato dishes and the best adult elixirs during the 1-5 p.m. battle backed by live music? One way to find out: Buy tickets to this eighth annual bombardment benefiting Georgia Organics. General admission tickets are $45 each; Georgia Organics members pay $40 per person; Garnish & Gather AKTF package is $70 per person. Buy tickets at Xorbia through July 16 (small service charge added at checkout).

Who Let the Tomatoes Out of Their Cages?

When Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival takes command of Westside Provision District on Sunday, July 19, “JCT” in JCT. Kitchen & Bar could become an acronym for “Just Consume Tomatoes.” Dozens of Atlanta chefs and mixologists woo guests with an arsenal of tomato-ey bites and shooters while live bands jam. Restaurateur Ford Fry oversees the seventh annual fundraiser for Georgia Organics and The Giving Kitchen. Squeeze out juicy details on our blog and pluck tickets from the vine here. 

Get Juiced for the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival July 19

Tomatoes take over Atlanta’s Westside on Sunday, July 19 for the 7th annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival. Flee to Westside Provisions District from 1-5 p.m. as restaurateur Ford Fry brings together dozens of chefs and mixologists – including Aria’s Gerry Klaskala, Gunshow’s Mercedes O'Brien, Derek Dollar from Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Tom Gray from Moxie Kitchen & Cocktails in Jacksonville and Scotley Innis from Ormsby’s -- to concoct tomato-based food and drinks all for two worthy causes. Last year’s event squeezed out $120,000 for beneficiaries The Giving Kitchen and Georgia Organics, and this year’s festival looks to squeeze even more. In addition to tomato-ey concoctions, guests also will rock to live music from Ill Communication and Fry’s all-chef band Five Bone Rack. Purchase tickets online before they sell out.

A Killer Time at Attack of the Killer Tomato Fest

The rain didn’t stop this year’s Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival from being a smash hit! On Sunday, July 20, chefs and mixologists brought their best dishes and drinks and stole the hearts (and votes) of judges and fans. Judges Choice went to Ted Lahey of Osteria Mattone for Best Dish while Joey Ward of Gunshow took home the Fan Favorite award. Eduardo Guzman of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and The Optimist swept the Judges Choice for Best Cocktail while Stuart White, Vince Lendi and Zach Capito of Miller Union won Fan Favorite for Best Cocktail. See you all next year!

6th Annual JCT. Kitchen & Bar Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival Salsas into The Goat Farm on July 20

The festival we have all been waiting for is finally here! The JCT. Kitchen & Bar Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is happening this Sunday, July 20 from 1-5 p.m. at The Goat Farm Arts Center. More than 50 of the Southeast’s most talented chefs, 19 skilled mixologists and at least 30 farmers will create delicious dishes and cocktails to raise money for Georgia Organics and The Giving Kitchen. Continue the fun afterwards at JCT. Kitchen & Bar for the official Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival after party from 5-9 p.m. Don’t forget to hashtag all your tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram photos with #AKTF2014. 

Beat the Clock and Purchase Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival Tickets before the Price Rises on July 1

We are all about saving you money. That’s why we are bringing you the ticket scoop on JCT.’s sixth annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival. Get your tickets before midnight on July 1 or shell out more money as ticket prices increase to $70 per person. Through June 30, experience the luxury of paying $55 person and $50 for Georgia Organics members. Spend Sunday, July 20 from 1-5 p.m. with more than 50 of the South’s top chefs, 19 mixologists and more than 30 farmers. The afternoon devoted to tasting tomato dishes and concoctions will benefit Georgia Organics and The Giving Kitchen. Along with festival founder Ford Fry, participating chefs include Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Lance Gummere of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Joey Ward of Gunshow, E.J. Hodgkinson of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, Chrysta Poulos of King + Duke and St. Cecilia, Joe Schafer of King + Duke, Derek Dollar of Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Adam Evans of The Optimist, Andrew Smith and Scotley Innis of Ormsby’s, Andrew Isabella and Drew Belline of No. 246 and Craig Richards of St. Cecilia. Mercedes O’Brien of Gunshow, Eduardo Guzman of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and The Optimist and Ronnie LeClair II of No. 246 are on the mixologist list. Head over to Goat Farm Arts Center this year for the festival and again, don’t procrastinate on purchasing your tickets. Visit Facebook for more information.

Make Tracks to JCT. Bar Summer Bar Bash Series on the Upstairs Patio June 21

The JCT. Bar Summer Bar Bash series is one event you don’t want to miss. The kick-off event takes place Saturday, June 21 at JCT. Kitchen & Bar alongside the Westside Provisions train tracks. Tap your toes to the sounds of opening band Moontower as they bring 60s, 70s and 80s beats back for a “Throwback Summer.” With an upstairs bar and Midtown skyline view, you will want to clear your schedule for July 5, August 23 and September 20 as the series continues. While you’re at it, make sure you mark Sunday, July 20 for the Attack of the Killer Tomato Fest after-party.

Purchase Tickets for Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival Starting May 1

The early bird is sure to procure tickets to JCT. Kitchen & Bar’s Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival storming Atlanta on July 20. Tickets go on sale May 1, and they’ll go fast. Things could get dicey for tomato-loving, ticket-picking procrastinators. The sixth annual event rolls over to The Goat Farm, allowing elbow room aplenty for at least 42 chefs and 15 mixologists to squeeze, muddle, roast and toast. Be thankful for summer’s juiciest fruit. First, buy tickets.

Ford Fry Nominated for GRACE Restaurateur of the Year Award After Dishing Out Several ATL Successes

 

Love this award acronym and the chef who’s up for it. Ford Fry is a finalist for the Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) award for Restaurateur of the Year. It is no surprise to see Fry nominated by his industry peers for this seventh annual award recognizing leaders who have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry. Boy, has he! With restaurants JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246, The Optimist and King + Duke under his toque, not to mention food and fun-loving community contributions such as summer’s annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival and People’s Food Truck in his pantry, it’s apparent Fry is a key ingredient in Atlanta’s diverse restaurant scene. GRACE winners will be announced November 10 at the GRACE Awards Gala to be held at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. The theme of this year's event will be a farm-to-table look and feel. Aside from a cocktail reception, three-course dinner featuring delights from the finalists, there will also be live music to entertain the night away. Grab your favorite people and join in a festive night honoring Georgia's most brilliant minds in the food industry. Visit the Georgia Restaurant Association website for more information and to make your reservation. 

MLA Out and About at 2013 Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

MLA's Tuan Huynh gets ready to crown the winners!

In the middle of one of the rainiest summers we've ever seen, the clouds parted and the sun beamed bright for the July 21 Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival at JCT. Kitchen & Bar. We had a blast basking in the sun and tasting delicious tomato dishes and cocktails while grooving to the tunes of The Spazmatics and Five Bone Rack. Luckily, our camera didn't get splashed by the action in the dunk tank, so we have plenty of pics to prove how great the day was. Check out our Facebook photos for a taste of #AKTF2013!

Tomatogram! Follow and tag @Attackofthekillertomatofest on Instagram

 

 

 

If you're one of the lucky ones who nabbed a ticket to Attack of the Killer Tomato Fest at JCT. Kitchen this Sunday, bring your phone along and keep up on Instagram at @attackofthekillertomatofest. Take some fun photos and tag us! If you won't be there, we'll miss you! Check out the page for pics of tomato dishes and cocktails, bands, and people having a blast. 

Price of tickets for Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival increase on Monday, July 1

Cocktail cravers, food lovers and fun chasers, beware! The Westside of Atlanta will be under a delectable attack on July 21 from 1-5 p.m. The fifth annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, held at JCT. Kitchen & Bar, features prominent chefs, mixologists and farmers who are uniting in a culinary front to create fresh, innovative dishes. Right now, tickets can be purchased online for $55. But hurry, because after Monday, July 1 tickets increase to $70. To make things juicier, this day of live music and tomato-inspired dishes will benefit Georgia Organics. So foodies: wake up, smell the tomatoes and get tickets while they last!

The Attack is Back! Tickets Now on Sale!

The weather is warming up and pollen is in the air, so that means that JCT. Kitchen & Bar is anticipating a killer tomato harvest come Sunday, July 21 when Chef Ford Fry hosts the 5^th Annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival to benefit Georgia Organics. Local farmers and 33 featured chefs pair up to create tomato dishes, 14 mixologists shake up vine-tingling tomato cocktails, and high-profile judges choose favorites while about 1,400 guests nosh and drink up all of that fruit-of-the-vine goodness. Live entertainment comes by way of the Spazmatics and local chef band Five Bone Rack. Purchase your tickets now for the 1-5 p.m. festival then relax until July's bountiful harvest. Tickets cost $55 per person and $50 for Georgia Organics members until June 30 and then increase to $70 per person on July 1.

Appetizing Aperture: Could we pull-eeze have a decent tomato?

We long for Killer Tomato season to attack. We'll be ready with napkins in hands to catch every juicy drip. Ford Fry is on it, strategizing for this July's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival.

 

Tickets go on sale April 1, so be sure to purchase yours stat! Heirlooms, Romas, Better Boys...with so much at stake, you'd best follow The Dish for vine-breaking news.

JCT. Bar Continues Tomato Celebration with $10 BLT and Beer Special

 

In July, I got to check an item off of my food-related bucket list: attend JCT. Kitchen's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival. I had a blast, enjoying the live music and of course, eating and drinking all the tomato-y goodness my stomach could handle. Although we have to wait until next July for the festival's return, JCT. Bar is offering a new "BLT and Beer" special for $10 we can feast on until then. Replacing the burger in their popular "Burger and Beer" special, the BLT comes with heirloom tomato, house-smoked bacon from Gum Creek Farms, peppery arugula and a pickled jalapeno mayo. The rooftop bar is pairing it with with a smooth, lager-like Southampton Biere de Mars to complete this perfect summer meal. The "BLT and Beer" special is available every Tuesday through Thursday from 5 - 10 p.m. during tomato season. This offer is only available at JCT. Bar, located above JCT. Kitchen in Atlanta's Westside Urban Market. 

And the Top Tomato Honors Go To...

Photo By Gerlinda Grimes

This year's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, held on July 22 at JCT. Kitchen & Bar, was another smash hit! Creative juices flowed, and several chefs and mixologists were especially victorious in the quest for top tomato honors. Judges' Choice and Fan Favorite awards went to Donald Sargent of Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts for Best Dish. Paul Calvert of Pura Vida took home the Judges' Choice for Best Cocktail while Miles Macquarrie of Leon's Full Service won Fan Favorite for Best Cocktail. In a tough tie, Sprig and H&F Bottle Shop share recognition as Best Booth.

What's New On Pinterest: Tantalized By Tomatoes

Creamy Tomato Soup by Dixie Caviar

We'll take 'em, lots of them. Plump, sun-worshipping, vine-ripe tomatoes to slice, dice, drip juice down our chins and stain our tank tops. This week's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is homegrown tomato nirvana. Our pins are ripe for the picking!

The Plot Thickens This Week As JCT. Kitchen Attack Of The Killer Tomato Festival Strikes On July 22

Such a juicy storyline: bushels of real tomatoes give in to the hands of a united front of 37 star Southern chefs, 12 maniacal mixologists and 30+ farmers whose toiling enables the whole coup. The victors? Georgia Organics, beneficiary of the fourth annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, and tomato devotees. 

The event will spill out of headquarters at JCT. Kitchen & Bar and into the Westside Provisions District complex on Sunday, July 22 from 1-5 p.m. Purchase tickets online through Xorbia for $70 per person. 

Last year’s event raised almost $40,000 for Georgia Organics, and Ford Fry, owner/chef of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist, hopes this year’s event will grow even more greens for the group. 

The festival is ripe for people watching as judges include Garden & Gun Deputy Editor Dave Mezz, Esquire Restaurant Features Writer John Mariani, Food & Wine Associate Food Editor Daniel Gritzer and actor David Miller, who played Mason Dixon in the original “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” movie. Co-masters of ceremonies are Angie Mosier, food writer, stylist and photographer, and Carolyn O’Neil, registered dietician, author and food journalist. Jump to live entertainment from The Spazmatics and local chef band Five Bone Rack. 

Get more juice on participating chefs, etc. at www.killertomatofest.com!

Heads up! Ticket prices increase for Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on June 15

Purchase your tickets for the July 22 Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, $50 for Georgia Organics members and $60 for non-members, before the price rises to $70 for all on June 15. JCT. Kitchen & Bar hosts this annual "war" between the chefs as they partner with local farmers to put their best tomato dishes forward. Mixologists will also be competing with signature cocktails. This year, Garden & Gun Deputy Editor Dave Mezz, Esquire restaurant features writer John Mariani and actor David Miller, who played Mason Dixon in the original "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" movie, will serve as judges. Don’t miss out on this killer event—get your tickets now!