Chefs Party in the Kitchen for Open Hand Atlanta September 17

Atlanta chefs tie on their aprons to Party in the Kitchen on Thursday, September 17, doing what they do best to stir the fundraising pot for Open Hand Atlanta. Gerry Klaskala of Aria co-chairs this year’s event filling The Stave Room at American Spirit Works. Exquisite cuisine commands the front burner, prepared by top toques like Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Matthew Ridgway of Gypsy Kitchen, Michael Searles of The Blind Pig Parlour Bar, Kelly Lovett of The Southern Gentleman and Fuyuhiko and Lisa Ito of Umi. Cocktails, music and silent and live auctions flank the delicious evening. Sure to be a sellout! Buy tickets online.

Atlanta Chefs and Philanthropists Party in the Kitchen for Open Hand Atlanta on September 18

Nonprofit Open Hand is the nation’s largest provider of home-delivered, medically appropriate meals, preparing, packing and delivering more than 5,000 meals daily and two million annually to residents across metro Atlanta and 17 Georgia counties. It was founded twenty-five years ago by several Atlantans who cooked meals for friends who were too ill to prepare meals on their own.

To grow and support Open Hand, Atlanta chefs and residents are coming together to Party in the Kitchen, and a party it is. An evening of music, food, drink and live and silent auctions are the happenings at King Plow Arts Center Event Gallery on Thursday, September 17 beginning at 7 p.m. Chef Gerry Klaskala of Aria is the co-chair for Party in the Kitchen. Chefs Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Fuyuhiko and Lisa Ito of Umi and others will also be joining in on the event. Pull out your party dress and buy your ticket today! 

Chefs Pitch In at Two Benefits for Open Hand: Atlanta Meatball Festival on September 14 and Party in the Kitchen on September 18

Play ball! The first Atlanta Meatball Festival at Sandy Springs’ Belle Isle Shopping Center features mouthwatering meatball dishes from chef Drew Belline of no. 246, chef Craig Richards of St. Cecilia and many others from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, September 14. Judges and attendees will sample and vote, and three top ballers will go on to compete at the Taste of Atlanta Meat Brawl Throwdown in October. Live music, wine, beer and a silent auction to benefit nonprofit Open Hand tie this festival all together.

On Thursday, September 18, Party in the Kitchen features cuisine from some of Atlanta’s most talented chefs, beverages, live music and silent and live auctions to benefit Open Hand. Purchase tickets online. 

Taste & Tour of Cheshire Bridge 2009

Last night I attended the much-anticipated foodie event on Cheshire Bridge -- the Taste & Tour of Cheshire Bridge. Many of the restaurants offered tastings and tapas while high-end businesses offered product samples, discounts and raffles. Tickets were only $10 per person for a one-day pass to check out all the places participating on Cheshire Bridge Road. Proceeds went to benefit Open Hand Atlanta. Included in the fee was transportation provided by a trolley, but we decided to walk since it was such a nice night out. Food highlights from the evening included teriyaki shrimp and sushi rolls at Nakato, poached shrimp on toast points at Woodfire Grill, ricotta cheescake at Alfredo's and wonderul Ethiopian food at Amy's Ethiopian Cafe. I really liked this event because in addition to tasting food from the restaurants, I also got go inside the restaurants and check out the space. My only regret is that I didn't get there earlier enough to make it to all of the restaurants! And, my feet were a little too tired to make the trip down to Rain (new Thai restaurant). If you're counting pennies and looking for something fun to do - I highly recommend going. The last night for the tasting and tour is tonight - you can purchase tickets at Nakato as well as other restaurants.