It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @atltravlr

Journalist and technical writer Linda Erbele will "talk story" with you about business, lifestyle and travel writing projects.  She reveals little-known details uncovered along Georgia's back roads and byways on her Georgia Crossings blog -- including digging up some juicy Vidalia Onion history in her entry on the newly opened Vidalia Onion Museum.  Those Vidalias are so sweet they won't make you cry, but they will inspire you to follow Erbele's tweets (@atltravlr).

Ice Cream Time!

The word is out... Slow Food Atlanta is hosting its Fifth Annual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social fundraiser on Saturday, June 18, and right now they are seeking amateur ice cream makers to go up against some of Atlanta's top chefs!!

The Ice Cream Social, which is in conjunction with the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, will take place in the garden of St. Philip’s Cathedral at 2744 Peachtree Road on Saturday, June 18 from 12:30 pm to 2:00 p.m.

Contestants are asked to provide 2 - 3 gallons of homespun ice cream or sorbet made from fresh ingredients. Slow Food Atlanta will provide cups and utensils (all compostable or recyclable), signage, and an eager ice cream-eating public. Last year’s event drew almost 200 hungry Atlantans of all ages.

If you are interested in entering the friendly competition, email your name, contact info and ice cream flavor to slowfoodicecreamsocial@gmail.com by June 1.

More of an ice cream eater rather than ice cream maker? Purchase your tickets to this tasty social here.

Mr. Harris Goes To Washington

Photo by Angie Mosier

White Oak Pastures President Will Harris III is DC-bound this week, and it won't take a cattle prod to bring him back to Bluffton.  Talk to Harris and you'll find out the grass really is greener on his side of the fence.  His cattle love it that way and so do the growing number of grass-fed beef devotees who purchase White Oak Pastures' all-natural, grass-fed beef at quality markets and restaurants in five states.  

Harris will be recognized as Georgia's "2011 Small Business Person of the Year" during the Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week events, May 18 - 20, in Washington, D.C.  The fifth-generation farmer has grown the family farm to become one of the largest producers of organic, grass-fed beef in the nation -- covering more than 2,500 acres.  All farming, cattle raising and processing is done at White Oak Pastures using sustainable methods, modern technology and renewable energy sources.  

In addition to running his farm operation with 44 employees, Harris is president of the Georgia Organics board of directors as well as the beef director of the American Grass-Fed Association.  Congrats to Will and all of White Oak Pastures!

Fadó Brings Back “Ladies ‘80s”

If you missed it in April, you have another shot to celebrate the famed decade full of slap bracelets and big hair at Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant on Saturday, May 21 at 10 p.m. The Buckhead hotspot is hosting its "Ladies '80s" party once again with all the same great specials. Dress out and dance up a thirst for '80s classic cocktails such as the Long Island Iced Tea, Mai Tai and Blue Hawaiian priced at $6 each for the ladies. Get down to the sounds of a live DJ (not an '80s cassette player). '80s babies, visit an '80s blog for memory-jogging ideas for fashion and hair. Fadó party favors include period accessories such as slap bracelets and candy necklaces.

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant: 273 Buckhead Avenue; 404-841-0066

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, You Had Me At Food

The upcoming Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is so heady and rich in flavor that we can hardly condense its essence to a simple paragraph or two. Offering close to 200 ways to "sip, savor and enjoy the South," the May 19-22 festival overflows with learning experiences, tasting tents, street carts and a connoisseur lounge. Events and themes are divided into three categories: Old Traditions, New Traditions and Imports & Inspirations. Lest we become the proverbial kids in a candy shop, we are honing in on a dozen chefs, restaurants and food experts in particular. We're focusing forks on Owner/Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill, South City Kitchen Executive Chef Chip Ulbrich, Ecco Executive Chef Micah Willix, Fifth Group Restaurants Co-Founder Steve Simon, White Oak Pastures President Will Harris, JCT. Kitchen & Bar Owner/Executive Chef Ford Fry, Chef Nathan Lippy and his event at the W Atlanta-Midtown, Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts, Executive Chef Tracey Bloom of Ray's at Killer Creek, Executive Chef and Partner Drew Belline of No. 246 in Decatur, Spice Route Supper Club's Chef and Creator Asha Gomez, and Owner/Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala of Aria. Download the program schedule for complete event details. Tickets, ranging in price from $50 to $2500 per person, are available for purchase online.

Get Some "Rock 'N' Roll Delight" at Briza with Hugo This Thursday

Briza is doling out some "Rock 'N' Roll Delight" this Thursday, May 19 at 10 p.m. when England-born/Thailand-raised musician Hugo stops by the Midtown restaurant to perform an intimate live set from his debut album, "Old Tyme Religion." Hugo will hit The Masquerade stage for a full concert the following evening, but this is your chance for a closer look in a cozy setting. You won't want to miss his cover of Jay-Z's "99 Problems."

Briza Executive Chef Janine Falvo is offering a $40 tasting menu for the special occasion. You can reserve a spot between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. for her special tasting menu and “HUGOtini” cocktail by calling the restaurant at 678-412-2402.

Briza: 866 West Peachtree Street, NW, adjacent to the Atlanta Renaissance Midtown Hotel.