Southern Chefs Potluck for Wholesome Wave Georgia Spreads over Serenbe Sept. 17

Fill your plate where it’s great to be eight, and ate, at the eighth annual Southern Chefs Potluck fundraiser benefitting Wholesome Wave Georgia. More than 250 guests, chefs and bartenders from across Georgia will come together from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17 for family style dining, fun and fellowship in the open-air pavilion at the idyllic Inn at Serenbe. Mosey over here to buy tickets and see who’s potlucking like Gunshow’s cocktail director, Mercedes O’Brien. Choose individual for $175 or a VIP Chefs Table and Reception package for two for $600 (service fees extra). Wholesome Wave Georgia works to increase access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food for all Georgians through two core programs: Georgia Fresh For Less, which stretches SNAP/EBT dollars at farmers markets, and the Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program, in which healthcare providers give families prescriptions to be filled and spent on fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets.  

Gather at Serenbe Southern Chefs Potluck for Food, Fellowship and Fundraising Benefitting Wholesome Wave Georgia September 11

The chefs do it all, from fixing sides to mains to desserts, and beverages are turned over to mixologists. Just buy tickets, and show up hungry, thirsty and ready to chow down at the seventh annual Southern Chefs Potluck for Wholesome Wave Georgia taking place from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, September 11, on the pastoral grounds of the Inn at Serenbe. Top Atlanta chefs, including Andreas Müller of Revival, share side dishes with guests at the family style event held under the Inn’s open-air pavilion. The chefs' creations will complement main dishes provided by White Oak Pastures and Jim N' Nicks Bar-B-Q. Mercedes O’Brien of Gunshow and other Atlanta mixologists will shake, stir and pour libations, along with wines and craft beers. New to the table of events this year is the VIP after party where chefs and VIP ticket holders will segue to one of Serenbe’s residential “Farmettes” for live music, cocktails and small bites from chefs not participating in the general Potluck. Buy tickets online: $150/individual; $300/VIP (one ticket for Potluck with VIP chef table seating and VIP after party); $600 VIP Package (VIP privileges above, for two); or VIP Overnight Package ($1500, VIP privileges for two plus one room for the night at the Inn at Serenbe). Additional online service fee added at checkout. The Potluck is one the biggest fundraising events of the year for Wholesome Wave Georgia, whose mission is to increase access to fresh, healthy and locally grown food for all Georgians. Money raised goes right back into the community, helping low-income families eat more healthily and providing income for Georgia farmers.

Order Up Tickets to Southern Chefs Potluck Supper at Serenbe September 13 -- Before It Sells Out

History bears witness that the annual Southern Chefs Potluck at Serenbe sells out in advance. Tip: buy tickets ASAP to the 3-6 p.m. Sunday, September 13 throwdown on the pastoral grounds of the Inn at Serenbe. White Oak Pastures is providing meats for the main dishes, top Atlanta chefs will knock out the sides. Homemade pickles, relishes and desserts will complete the groaning board of good eats, along with a bevy of beverages including local craft beers, wines and mixologist-made cocktails. Sliding their sides into the prolific potluck: Joey Ward of Gunshow, Andreas Müller of new Revival, Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, and Virginia Willis, author of “Lighten Up, Y’all.” Keep a hand free for bidding on one-of-a-kind chef experiences at the live auction. Wholesome Wave Georgia benefits from this sixth-annual fundraiser, presented this year by Bond Intelligent Care. Buy tickets here, $150 per person (plus small service fee).

Sample Bourbon and Bites from Article 14 and Glenn’s Kitchen at May Day at Serenbe on May 4

A sure-fire sign of spring is May Day at Serenbe. The celebration spreads over the Chattahoochee Hill Country community this Sunday, May 4 from 1-4 p.m. Take in all of the opportunities guests "May" do: hot air balloon rides, pony rides, live musical performances, artisan demonstrations, eats and sips from Atlanta restaurants and breweries in the tasting tent and, of course, dancing around the maypole. Now, about those tastings. Midtown’s Article 14 will pour bourbon and Glenn's Kitchen has delicious small bites that show off this Downtown Atlanta restaurant's talent.

Atlanta's Top Chefs Gather at Serenbe for Southern Chefs Potluck on Sept. 8

The only thing you'll need to bring to the 4^th Annual Southern Chefs Potluck on Sunday, September 8 is a healthy appetite. Atlanta's top chefs Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow, Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen, No. 246, The Optimist and King + Duke and Tyler Williams of Woodfire Grill are taking over the pastoral grounds of The Inn at Serenbe from 3-6 p.m. to create some mouth-watering, family style dishes. White Oak Pastures meats also will be featured. Enjoy Terrapin beer, Quivira wines, cocktails and an outstanding auction overflowing with culinary experiences. Tickets, available online, range in price from $125 per person up to $1,000. Monies raised at the annual fundraiser for Wholesome Wave Georgia will increase access to good, wholesome and locally grown foods for all Georgians.

Serenbe Serves Up Southern Chefs Potluck This Sunday

The Third Annual Southern Chefs Potluck to benefit Wholesome Wave Georgia takes over the pavilion and grounds of The Inn at Serenbe this Sunday, August 5 from 3 - 6 p.m., and the best news of all? Almost two dozen of Atlanta's best chefs will handle the potluck part - leave your Jello mold at home! Each chef will prepare a side, homemade pickles or relish and a dessert to add to the bountiful table. Some of the featured dishes that already have us licking our lips are Ford Fry's summer squash casserole with Georgia gouda and garlicky crumb; Shaun Doty's White Oak Pastures chicken galantines with herb vinaigrette; and homemade moon pies toted in by E. J. Hodgkinson of Woodfire Grill. White Oak Pastures meats prepared by Jim 'N Nicks Bar-B-Q and fried chicken legs from The Farmhouse at Serenbe are the main dishes, and everything will be served family style. Guests will also enjoy local beer, wine and cocktails created by top mixologists and served by members of the Atlanta chapter of the United States Bartender's Guild, so you might want to re-watch Cocktail before you arrive. White Oak Pastures' own Will Harris will auction off one-of-a-kind chef experiences, and a raffle can get you unique culinary items. Live music will be provided by Christ, Lord!, Lily and the Tigers and Under White Pines. Purchase tickets online for $125 per person to benefit Wholesome Wave Georgia, a nonprofit organization that helps make healthy food accessible to all Georgia citizens while contributing to our local food economy.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

This week's Appetizing Aperture (a scrumptious salted caramel cake by Angie Mosier) is a delicious memory from a past Afternoon in the Country! Lucky for us that the event returns to Serenbe on Sunday, November 6 from 1 - 6 p.m. With sweet and savory bites from Bold American, Briza, Double Zero Napoletana, South City Kitchen, La Tavola Trattoria, JCT. Kitchen,No. 246, White Oak Pastures, Marlow's Tavern and more, it's bound to be a tasting guests won't soon forget!

Spending the Afternoon In The Country

With the perfect fall weather lately, I can't think of a better time to get out of the city and enjoy the countryside. This weekend, I plan on doing just that at the 10th Annual Afternoon in the Country at Serenbe. The annual Sunday afternoon event -- on November 7 this year -- features some of Atlanta’s best chefs, area farmers, premium micro-brewers and select retailers. I'm looking forward to checking out JCT. Kitchen & Bar, The Cook’s Warehouse and Woodfire Grill among many others!

Even better, food and wine are just the tip of the iceberg at this outdoor party. Drivetrain plays bluegrass, and there’ll be a pastry chef- supplied cake raffle, hayrides, food and wine merchandise, original art by prominent artists and a silent auction where dining and travel packages are up for bidding. Proceeds from the afternoon event benefit Les Dames d'Escoffier International and the Atlanta Chapter’s scholarship fund as well as Georgia’s organic farming community. Purchase tickets now before the event sells out!

The Pinnacle of Potlucks

On Sunday, July 18, Serenbe and the Southern Foodways Alliance Skillet Brigade are hosting a “Southern Chefs Potluck” event at the Inn at Serenbe lake pavilion. A baker’s dozen of Atlanta-area star chefs such as Shaun Doty of Shaun’s and YEAH! BURGER, Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill and Top Chef fame will do the cooking then sit down with the 150 guests for family-style dining. Each participating chef will contribute their favorite “Sunday Supper” side dish, a relish and a dessert for the event. The main dish will be White Oak Pastures beef prepared by Jim –n- Nick’s BBQ, and fried chicken legs from The Farmhouse. In addition to food and fellowship, guests will enjoy local beer and “Shine On Punch” mixed by Greg Best of Holeman & Finch. Potlucks don't get much better than this, so get your ticket now! Supper begins at 3 p.m.; tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased online or by calling 678-702-0400. “Southern Chefs Potluck” benefits Wholesome Wave of Georgia, a nonprofit organization that helps make healthy food accessible to all Georgia citizens while contributing to our local food economy. WWG uses private funds to double WIC and EBT coupons spent at partner markets and farm stands.


Inn at Serenbe: 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Chattahoochee Hills, Ga.; 770-463-2610.

Chef Ford Fry Cooks Up Southern At Serenbe

Need a getaway with a good excuse? Head to Serenbe to learn some Southern cooking tips from JCT. Kitchen & Bar Executive Chef Ford Fry. He'll be at this summer's Serenbe Southern Chef Series culinary weekend July 11 and 12. Good Southern hospitality, food and chefs are central to the interactive weekend of cooking, wining and dining -- and so are you, the guest. Twelve guests will arrive Sunday and gather in the kitchen of Marie Nygren for a hands-on dinner prep session with Ford. Yummier still, everyone sits down to a casual feast of all the dishes they've prepared, served family style. Yes, there are wine pairings. Bed down for a restful night in the Inn at Serenbe then rise Monday morning to a full country breakfast and a lunch cooking and dining session before heading back up the interstate to reality. $425 per person covers hands-on cooking lessons, two multi-course intimate meal experiences, wine pairings and Sunday night Inn at Serenbe accommodations. To make reservations, call 770-463-2610.

My Fave Food Event

Atlanta has tons of great food events and I enjoy attending them all. I must say that my personal favorite, year after year, is the Les Dames d'Escoffier* "Afternoon in the Country" at Serenbe. The chefs are top-notch and they really bring out their best dishes. There's lots of wine. Micro-brew beer. Great music. Beautiful setting. And the ticket price ($95) supports culinary scholarships and organic farmers. Some of our clients will be there: Aria, Ecco, JCT Kitchen, La Tavola and Woodfire Grill. This year's event is Sunday, Nov. 8. They appear to still be selling tickets so you might want to nab one now.

*I'm a member of Les Dames.

Les Dames Afternoon in the Country

The 8th annual Afternoon in the Country event was held this past Sunday at Serenbe, near Palmetto, Georgia. More than 35 chefs from Atlanta's best restaurants, select retailers and local wineries set up tastings inside the tents on this beautiful property. This is certainly not your run-of-the-mill food and wine event, instead of wearing formal attire, jeans and boots were encouraged! It was a gorgeous day to be outside, and especially enjoying tasty cuisine and fine wines.

Other highlights of the event included live music, a one-of-a-kind cake auction, hayrides and silent auction. Among my favorite tastings of the day were bbq sliders from Holman and Finch, braised beef from White Oak Pastures, Low Country boil with pickled okra (yum!) from the restaurant on Serenbe and desserts from Joel. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the Atlanta Chapters of Les Dames d'Escoffier.

Time to Buy Tix for Les Dames Event in November

As some of you know, I'm spending two weeks in Chile in November. Of course I'm looking forward to it, but I just realized I'm going to miss THE BEST food event of the year! Should I cancel???

Seriously, Les Dames D'Escoffier (LDEI), of which I am a proud member and secretary of the board, puts on a great event at Serenbe every year. The 8th Annual Afternoon in the Country, sponsored by LDEI is held on Sunday, November 9 starting at 1 p.m. at Serenbe in the Chattahoochee Hill Country. Over 50 chefs, restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and retailers will be on hand to dole out samples under big-top tents. An enormous silent auction, decadent cake raffle, live music, hayrides and more round out the afternoon. New this year is a Friday night event - a very nice one at that. On November 7, "Evening in the City" will be held at The Mansion on Peachtree. Only 75 tickets will be sold to this exclusive event. The evening begins with a 51st floor champagne "view of the city" reception followed by a four-course Wente Vineyards wine dinner and a private concert by renowned jazz vocalist Francine Reed.

So whether you're a city slicker or a country bumpkin, as long as you enjoy good food and wine, I promise you will enjoy these events. Among the participants are favorites such as Bold American®,Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, Via Elisa Pasta, White Oak Pastures, Whole Foods Market and Woodfire Grill. Please go and have some sips and nibbles for me!!

Click here for tickets to either event. Proceeds benefit Georgia's organic farming community and the scholarship fund for women in the culinary, beverage and hospitality arts. Atlanta LDEI is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

And yes, this picture is of some Dames having fun at White Oak Pastures. That's Angie Mosier, me, Cathy Conway, Carolyn O'Neil and Virginia Willis. See how fun we are? Tee hee.