Appetizing Aperture: Big Green Egg Classes at Ray's on the Creek

The kids are all back to school, so why not brush up with some lessons of your own? The Big Green Egg cooking classes at Ray's on the Creek put your high school home economics class to shame with an outdoor classroom space, "desks" set with delicious foods and a chef/professor delivering the tastiest lecture in town. Honor roll, here we come!

#foodgram: @whiteoakpastures

Take a photo tour with White Oak Pastures (@whiteoakpastures) as they post a downright homey mix of photos snapped on the 145-year-old farm. Scroll through to see a yummy supper shot taken at White Oak Pastures' Pavilion, which recently made the list of The Daily Meal's World's 25 Best Farmstead Restaurant Experiences. You'll also see where the chickens roost, s'mores roast, puppies hush and what cows do when they are coming home (nibble rearview mirrors). Follow now to get your farm fix!

Chicken Recipes That Will Have You Clucking

This week, the cluck is all about chicken feed on our Chicken of Choice board. This Southern staple pleases all and saves many a budget and time-strapped cook. No wonder, with ideas such as these: petite chicken and waffle sliders, big chicken and waffle breakfast sandwiches, cola-glazed wings to nibble and an oven-fried chicken that specifies "do not lose this pin!" -- meaning it is sinfully good.

Der Biergarten and Ormsby's Join 10th Annual German Bierfest on August 24 at Woodruff Park

Break out the lederhosen and get ready for the 10th Annual German Bierfest on Saturday, August 24 from 2-7 p.m. at Woodruff Park. Raise a glass to Der Biergarten and Ormsby's for sponsoring the authentic, family friendly celebration featuring German food, kids' zones, sports games and nearly 50 beers for enthusiasts to try. Bring a friend and sample to your heart's content because designated drivers attend for free. Purchase Bierfest tickets online. The event benefits the non-profit German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. More on information available on Facebook.

Have a Ball & a Few Beers at Atkins Park in Virginia-Highland's Pong Wars Tournament

Speed, agility, accuracy and New Belgium Fat Tire beers will all play a big part in who wins the Pong Wars Ping-Pong tournament at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland on Wednesday, August 28. Balls start flying at 9:30 p.m., and only the tournament victor will take home a brand new New Belgium Fat Tire cruiser. Sorry, no cruiser for the loser, but all who enter are sure to have a ball and a few beers. Registration is free after a New Belgium Brewing purchase. Plus, a dollar from every New Belgium product purchased will be donated to the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to help fund Atlanta Streets Alive.

Catch Adam Evans of The Optimist at the "Muscle Shoals" Premiere on August 24

If you're looking for weekend plans, we recommend taking a road trip to The Shoals, Ala., an area comprised of Muscle Shoals, Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia along the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama. There, you'll find some hellacious music, art and down-home Southern culture. Need another reason to visit? This weekend from August 23-25, Billy Reid is hosting Shindig No. 5, a three-day event featuring live music performances and the movie premiere of "Muscle Shoals." VIPs attending the August 24 premiere should skip the popcorn and soda. Instead, save room for small plates from Adam Evans of The Optimist  and Josh Habiger, last year's Food & Wine "Best New Chef," and a couple of Bulleit Bourbon cocktails.

Restaurants Support Farmers in Africa Thursday #forthefarmer

 

Atlanta chefs aren't just using "farm fresh," "local" and "sustainable" to describe their own cuisine, they're talking about supporting the Kula Project, a program that assesses conditions for farmers in Rwanda and Kenya and equips these farmers with innovative farming methods for sustainable agriculture. On Thursday, August 22, The Optimist,King + Duke and Chicken and the Egg are three of the 11 restaurants donating 20 percent of their sales to support Kula Project's farm sponsorship programs. Your role? Eat at one of these restaurants Thursday! You can also LIKE the Kula Project Facebook page and start using #forthefarmer on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook now through the day of the event for a chance to receive a $100 gift card to Fifth Group Restaurants.

Aqua blue Celebrates 12th Anniversary with Party on August 21

The 12 year anniversary celebration at Aqua blue in Roswell kicks into high gear on Wednesday, August 21, with a party and a special three-course menu priced at $20.01 per person to commemorate the 2001 opening. Read up on the menu on our blog, and don't forget about the live band, cake and champagne. Need more reasons to celebrate? Along with the recent introduction of weekday lunch service and the advancement of longtime chef Kien Sam to operating partner, party-goers will have a chance to win free dinner for a year. We'll raise a glass to that!

Reserve a Front-Row Seat at the New Chef's Counter at King + Duke Plus More in this Week's Dish

The summer season is quickly heading out, but juicy peaches aren't going anywhere! Purchase your end-of-season fruits from Watsonia Farms, available at farmers markets through Labor Day. Plus, there are many preserving methods for the refreshing peach taste all year long. There's plenty to be peachy about and more in this week's Dish!   

Save Your Seat at King + Duke's New Chef's Counter

Buckhead's new restaurant, King + Duke, is bringing guests in on the culinary action with the new chef's counter. Executive chef Joe Schafer and his talented team cook a five-course tasting menu on the 24-foot open hearth right in front of your eyes. The cost is $75 per person, and the menu changes daily. Nightly seatings are at 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., and each seating can accommodate two parties of two. For reservations, call 404-477-3500 and let the staff know any dietary restrictions at that time.

Pick Up Watsonia Farms Peaches Through Labor Day

Beat those back to school blues by staying peachy with mouthwatering produce from Watsonia Farms. Their organically grown and conventional peaches are available at Atlanta-area farmers markets through Labor Day. Stock up on these orbs of summertime awesomeness and carry the warm season well into winter. The Monetta, S.C. farm offers plenty of ideas to make the most of your treasure. Try your hand at canning and preserving peach jam, conserve, honey, relish or marmalade or put up some peach pickles. Watsonia Farms suggests checking this link for how-tos. If you’ve already snapped up a basket too many and they’re trending overripe, turn them into peach pie or cobbler, smoothies, puréed baby food or add to bread, muffins or pancakes. Try adding some to chicken stock with balsamic vinegar for a piquant meat glaze or sauce. Tuck away a few freezer bags of peach slices – you’ll be so glad you did when winter’s gray days are here.