Gunshow Welcomes Billy Cole as Restaurant’s First Pastry Chef

Atlanta chef, restaurateur, speaker and cookbook author Kevin Gillespie welcomes Billy Cole to his Gunshow team. Cole, the first pastry chef for the Glenwood Park restaurant, totes a well-balanced background that includes 12 years of culinary experience in both the pastry and savory sectors. The innovative chef comes to Gunshow from The Luminary, a French brasserie where he served as chef de cuisine for two years. Before The Luminary, Cole was the assistant pastry chef under James Beard Award semi-finalist Aaron Russell at Restaurant Eugene for four years. His foundation-building timeline includes overseeing pastry production for The Chocolate Bar in Decatur and staging at Michelin-starred restaurants In de Wulf in Dranouter, Belgium, and Manresa in Los Gatos, California. The graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York began his culinary career working for chef Richard Blais in Atlanta as chef de partie at Element Gastro Lounge and Food Lab, then as sous chef at Home Restaurant & Bar and at culinary production company Trail Blais. Calling Gunshow “Atlanta’s best sounding board for culinary creativity,” Cole loves the freedom of “not being restricted to one genre of cuisine...and being surrounded by so many great young chefs in the Gunshow kitchen.” Taste and see what he’s all about --- the restaurant serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made one month in advance online.

Nosh Talks Networking Event Tackles Technology and Staffing at Monday Night Brewing July 25

Keeping up with the latest technological advances is one of the key challenges facing Atlanta’s food and beverage industry, especially when it comes to staffing. To help hospitality workers understand those challenges and advances, Nosh Talks, the networking organization for the city’s restaurant industry, is hosting the Restaurant NEXT: Technology & Staffing Panel. This can’t-miss event takes place Monday, July 25, at Monday Night Brewing (670 Trabert Ave., NW) from 2-5 p.m. Nosh Talks is teaming up with SPLIT, the platform that allows users to pay restaurant and bar bills from their mobile devices, to host the event that includes light bites and signature beers from Monday Night Brewing. Additionally, Nosh Talks is partnering with Culinary Agents, a professional networking and job matching website for the food, beverage and hospitality industry, to launch an Atlanta job board on the Nosh Talks website. See the page debut during the Restaurant NEXT event. Tickets, available through Eventbrite, are $15 for industry members and $35 for non-industry guests. For more information and to discover ways to get involved, go to noshtalks.com or follow Nosh Talks on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Avión Tequila Flight Special Soars at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina during Weeklong National Tequila Day Celebration through July 24

Avión tequila flights to National Tequila Day are now boarding at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina locations, and they will continue to take off through the salt-rimmed day itself, Sunday, July 24. The FlexMex taqueria is celebrating “Top Gun” style, lining up $10 flights of three (one ounce) pours of Avión tequila, including Silver, Reposado, Añejo and espresso varieties. From drinks to food and seating to service, Tin Lizzy’s does everything first class. Flights will land on tables atop Avión-branded wooden paddles, and generously sized tables easily accommodate any of more than 25 soft tacos, quesadillas, specialty skillets and other items on the FlexMex menu. Flights depart when lunch service starts, 11 a.m. daily at all Tin Lizzy’s locations.

Get Creamed. Sublime Doughnuts Homemade Ice Cream Takes a Licking 24/7

2 p.m. or 2 a.m. No telling when inner screams for ice cream call out. Sublime Doughnuts scoops their homemade ice cream 24 hours a day, seven days a week at both the Midtown and North Druid Hills stores. Ice cream is crafted from high-quality ingredients in edgy, artisanal flavors just like in Sublime’s doughnuts. The shops use Italian ice cream-making equipment to churn out lick-and-love flavors like orange dream, white chocolate Oreo, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and salted caramel. And, to think they’re accessible 24/7! Sublime Doughnuts is located at 535 10^th Street, NW and 2566 Briarcliff Road, NE.

Buy Taste of Atlanta Tickets Now and Save

Tickets for the 15th annual Taste of Atlanta are now on sale. Atlanta’s must-do food festival is already on your calendar for October 21-23 so jump on buying tickets before prices rise August 1. General admission is $20; fork over $65 for tickets to the VIP Grand Tasting Experience with exclusive tasting opportunities. Starting August 1, ticket prices rise to $25 general admission and $75 VIP. Enjoy more, save more by purchasing tickets now for the special Friday night kickoff party featuring drool-worthy bites from The Optimist, Marlow’s
 Tavern and Colletta. Pay $55 for general admission tickets and $70 for VIP access to this event through July 31 or $65/$85 starting August 1. For those new to Atlanta, Taste of Atlanta is an unforgettable food, craft beer, wine and cocktail festival where guests savor tastes and spirits from Atlanta’s hottest restaurants and trendsetting chefs. Admission to the festival nets each guest 10 “Taste Points” to purchase nibbles, bites, sips and samples. Additional “Taste Points” are available for $1 each. Nibble on the list of participating restaurants, including Seed Kitchen & Bar, The Big Ketch and Smokebelly BBQ and start craving! Visit TasteofAtlanta.com and follow updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Midweek Wow: Cotton Calf Kitchen Wine Dinner July 20

Cotton Calf Kitchen chef Javier Viera and the wine wizards at United Distributors are setting the table for an oenophile’s delight on Wednesday, July 20 -- an intimate four-course dinner with wine pairings at the contemporary, classic American steakhouse in historic downtown Braselton. A quick peek at Viera’s menu shows tempting unions of wild cobia sashimi and chilled tomato consommé with Stag’s Leap Karia chardonnay, Napa Valley; pan-roasted rabbit filet with saffron mashed potatoes, Romesco sauce, braised Brussels sprouts and crispy prosciutto served with Villa Maria pinot noir, Marlborough; 10-ounce Manhattan steak with risotto croquettes and sautéed wild mushrooms with Conn Creek cabernet sauvignon, Napa Valley; and dulce de leche trifle with Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne, France. Seats are limited for the 6-9 p.m. dinner; $135 per person (includes tax and gratuity). Call 706-684-0410 for reservations.

#Foodgram: The Most Important (and Beautiful) Meal of the Day

SymmetryBreakfast has one wondering, “Am I dreaming or seeing double of all of these amazing breakfast foods?” Not dreaming. Preparing and sharing a beautiful breakfast can set the mood for the rest of the day. Sorry, cereal. SymmetryBreakfast has us thinking outside the box (and looking forward to reading the soon-to-release”SymmetryBreakfast: Cook-Love-Share” cookbook).

Appetizing Aperture: Pastrami-Cured Hamachi at 5Church Atlanta

5Church Atlanta is open at the corner of 14th and Peachtree streets in Midtown, and the restaurant is dazzling guests with a mouthwatering menu of new American cuisine, conversation-cueing artwork and genuine, friendly and attentive service. When you go, start with a first course of pastrami-cured hamachi dressed up with red mole, radishes, finger limes and corn nuts ($14). Not to overwhelm you with other delicious decisions, but here’s the rest of the totally delicious dinner menu.

Call Out the Chowhounds. Fried Chicken and More at Milton’s Farmyard Chowdown July 24

Yee, doggies, there’s a Farmyard Chowdown feast on the horizon at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple. Mark your Farmer’s Almanac calendar for Sunday, July 24, and prepare to fill up on oysters, fried chicken, low country seafood boil and more in Milton’s backyard garden. The shindig commences at 7 p.m. with live music and lawn games, i.e. fun for everyone from wee chicks to seasoned farmhands. Tickets are $40 per person (plus small service fee; tax and alcohol not included). Buy tickets online through July 17.

Net Best of Land and Sea with Ray’s Restaurants’ Summer Prix Fixe

Sea or shore? Ray’s Restaurants straddles both options on a two-course menu available at Ray's in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray's at Killer Creek through early August. The “Land & Sea” menu dives right into a choice of artisan field greens or Caesar salad. For an entrée, choose Ray’s Surf & Turf featuring a six-ounce filet mignon, four-ounce lobster tail and Yukon Gold whipped potatoes ($29.95) or a six-ounce cut of wild salmon with asparagus risotto and red wine butter ($24.95). Call it a meal or add on a dessert course of New York cheesecake or chocolate mousse cake for an additional $5. Priced per person; price excludes beverage, tax and gratuity. Sorry, no splitting the menu.

Georgia’s on My Mind and Plate at Drift, Seed, Stem and Ray’s at Killer Creek during Georgia Restaurant Week July 18-24

Georgia is a gourmand’s paradise! Georgia Restaurant Week(GRW), Monday, July 18 through Sunday, July 24, is a fantastic time to experience the rich array of dining options and Georgia products used across our fair state. Atlantans have it easy and can spend more time dining and less time driving by visiting local participants.

Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar features North Georgia mountain trout, Georgia-grown field peas in field pea salad and wood-roasted peach crisp with brown sugar bourbon pecan ice cream. Peruse the full $35 dinner menu here.

Ray’s at Killer Creek offers a three-course menu with choices such as soup du jour, locally grown greens in an artisan field green salad with Statesboro blue cheese or Caesar salad as the first course; a choice of Parmesan colossal day boat scallops, salmon Oscar, horseradish-encrusted black grouper or an eight-ounce filet mignon for the main and chocolate mousse cake or a handmade praline basket holding High Road bourbon burnt sugar ice cream, seasonal berries, pecans and caramel sauce for dessert.

The $35 GRW dinner menu at Seed Kitchen & Bar embraces Georgian ingredients. Starter choices include Heritage Farms pork belly served with soy pineapple glaze, jalapeño and allspice crème fraîche or Pearson Farm peach salad with Craig Tucker arugula and Many Fold Farm brebis. Entrées include Springer Mountain Farms chicken sidling up to potato purée, arugula, Vidalia onions, capers and lemon; mountain trout and creamed corn with jalapeño and bacon vinaigrette and pickled summer vegetables; and Bear Creek flat-iron steak with polenta, oyster mushrooms, turnips, carrots and red wine jus. Select one of three desserts: peach crisp with Pearson Farm peaches, strawberry shortcake with strawberry sorbet or chocolate peanut butter pie with roasted banana ice cream. (By the way, the Benton’s country ham on the pimento cheese crostini and the Bear Creek flat-iron steak come from next-door neighbor Tennessee.)

At Stem Wine Bar, the $25 GRW “Tapas Tasting for Two”menu features a shareable board bearing local salumi and artisan cheese; a choice of two tapas from a list that includes caramelized peach and ricotta bruschetta, shaved Brussels sprouts with warm bacon vinaigrette and local apples, deviled eggs three ways, heirloom tomato panzanella salad, crispy Sicilian arancini with smoked mozzarella, chicken wings al ajillo, and White Oak Pastures lamb meatballs. Share salted caramel flan or house-made zeppole (Italian doughnuts) with red wine chocolate sauce for dessert. Prices exclude beverage, tax and gratuity. Reservations suggested. Thanks go out to the Georgia Restaurant Association and theGeorgia Department of Economic Development for sponsoring this yummy week and superlative excuse to eat out.

#Foodgram: Liven up your morning routine with a refreshing smoothie bowl!

No one said all smoothies come in tall cups. @smoothiebowls will bowl you over with spoonable smoothies packing an antioxidant punch, an “Afternoon Pick Me Up” or the banana mango green smoothie. Too pretty to eat, too tempting to abstain. Smooth operators, all.

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).

Pastured Poultry Week Flies the Coop on July 18. Don’t Miss Out

Through July 18, Atlanta restaurants showcase the outstanding and delicious characteristics of pastured poultry during the fifth-annual Pastured Poultry Week. Flock to Aria, Bellina Alimentari, Gunshow, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails and Seed Kitchen & Bar – all are featuring special pastured poultry dishes on their menus. More info on our Atlanta Dish blog.

Matthew Ridgway Reps The Southern Gentleman and Gypsy Kitchen at Piedmont Park Green Market Chef Demo July 16

Multi-talented chef Matthew Ridgway parlays Spanish inspirations through the kitchen of Gypsy Kitchen and spins modern takes on Old South traditions at The Southern Gentleman gastropub. This Saturday, July 16, Ridgway branches out even further, leaving his two wards in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta to lead the chef demo at the Piedmont Park Green Market. Stop by and tuck a few of his ideas into your market basket along with those locally grown and Georgia-made goodies. Market hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

What’s New on Pinterest: Chill Out and Cool Off with Our Brain Freeze Board!

Brain Freeze churns slushies, milkshakes and smoothies to put the kibosh on the sidewalk-egg-frying days of summer. A homemade frosted coffee calls on caffeine and creamy goodness to perk up a hot and heavy summer afternoon. A vanilla latte protein smoothie freezes away hunger pangs. Save the perfect green smoothie formula chart and become a mean, green smoothie-making queen. How to eat a blueberry muffin without leaving a trail of crumbs? Trade crumbs for a purple mustache and slurp a healthy blueberry muffin smoothie. Be sure to stockpile a kid-pleasing slush fund with Coca-Cola slushies, Dr. Pepper slushies, color-layered sunset slushies, tropical slushies and more.

Andreas Müller of Revival Demos at Peachtree Road Farmers Market July 16

Revival executive chef Andreas Müller communes with locally grown produce and those who seek its garden goodness when he demos at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market on Saturday, July 16. Müller’s soul-filled Revival menus pull from Southern plow to plate so he’s a natural for this teaching stint. Saturday hours for the market at The Cathedral of St. Philip are 8:30 a.m.- noon. Needless to say, early birds catch the best selections at the state’s largest producer-only farmers market.

The Beat Goes On with Live Music at Ray’s at Killer Creek on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights

Sometimes, hot summer nights call for air-conditioned comfort, cool cocktails and real cuisine on real plates, not plastic. So long, outdoor concerts. Hello, live music at Ray’s at Killer Creek. Head to the lounge and bar area of the popular Alpharetta restaurant for live music on Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday nights from 7-10 p.m. No tickets to buy, no cover charge, just a full menu of libations and shareable bites as well as substantial salads, handhelds, specialties and desserts. Here’s the calendar lineup:

Marty Manous --Thursday, July 14 and July 28

Lauren Jordan -- Friday, July 15

David Pretlow -- Saturday, July 16

Perry Kit -- Thursday, July 21, Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 30

Lee Gamble -- Saturday, July 23

Jacob Newman -- Friday, July 29

Garrett Teckmyer of The Big Ketch Buckhead Sails to Milton’s Garden Dinner July 17

Chef Garrett Teckmyer, executive chef at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead, puts down the fishnet and picks up the plow, so to speak, landing a special appearance at the July 17 Garden Dinner at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple. The Milton’s Acre garden harvest guides the night’s farm-to-fork menu for Teckmyer and Milton’s executive chef Derek Dollar. Guests enjoy libations and passed hors d’oeuvre upon arrival at the 7-9 p.m. food fête, and they’re welcome to tour Milton’s Acre. A memorable four-course meal follows, served family style on communal tables set amid garden rows and accompanied by wine and a cellist’s soothing music. Menu items may include squash blossoms stuffed with prosciutto and cream cheese; pimento cheese and crawfish; or roast duckling with fingerling sweet potatoes, oyster mushrooms, heirloom snap beans and candied pecan apple butter. Regardless, it’s all downright delicious. Buy tickets online, $135 per person plus service fee (non-refundable tickets include reception, dinner with wine, tax and gratuity).

HOBNOB Stages Orpheus Brewing Single, Double, Tripel Tap Takeover July 13

Hunker down at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern for the three happiest hours in Midtown this Wednesday, July 13. From 5-8 p.m., HOBNOB and local crafter Orpheus Brewing (both near Piedmont Park) orchestrate $4 Orpheus draft specials on The Rites IPA; Truth.Body.Soul. double IPA and Maenads Tripel. Complimentary appetizers and giveaways ensure good times will be had by all. Stay on for dinner and subtract 10 percent off your dinner tab. Happiness is a choice. We’re choosing HOBNOB.

#Foodgram: Wander.Eat.Repeat.

All who wander are not lost. Some, like Danielle Walsh, live to Wander, Eat, Repeat. The associate editor of @afarmedia(www.afar.com) admits she is Instagram obsessive, and she’s prone to document her many travels and food discoveries.

Appetizing Aperture: Sink Your Teeth into 101 Steak

The 101 Steak bone-in ribeye is a big boy, weighing in at 24 ounces of 36-day dry-aged USDA Prime beef ($69). Savor every morsel of this exceptionally marbled and flavorful cut solo or add Moody Blue, caramelized shallots or foie gras toppers (additional $4-$12). The new Vinings restaurant from 101 Concepts offers more than 100 wines by the glass and expert advice on selecting the perfect elixir to complement your succulent steak.

Live Music Rocks Johnny’s Hideaway on Sunday Nights

Polish your toes and strap on those dancing sandals, Sunday nights are for dancing to live music at Johnny’s Hideaway. This month’s lineup features the Stephen Lee Band on July 7, Band X on July 17, Cold Draft Beer (yes, that’s a band as well as a type of beverage) on July 24 and Space Plow closes out July on the 31st. Party bands take to the stage at 8:30 p.m., and cover is only $5. Additionally, Sunday nights are “Hospitality Nights,” so those in the industry enjoy food and drink specials. Reservations accepted until 8:30 p.m.; call 404-233-8026.

What’s New on Pinterest: Picnic Perfection

Set out the compostable plates, light the citronella Tiki torches and turn on the Bluetooth speakers, July is National Picnic Month. Whether you’re picnicking in your own backyard or packing a cooler for an outdoor lunch or dinner destination, you’ll find oodles of Perfect for Picnics ideas and recipes on our Pinterest board. Take a stab at assembling wedge salad or Cuban sandwiches on a stick, walking tacos, mini lasagna cups and individual seven-layer dips. For more hand-helds, slice spiraled turkey, spinach and cranberry spread pinwheels, tie pressed Italian sandwiches or turn out a platter of BLT sliders with vine-ripe tomatoes. Basket case? In the most delicious way.

Simple Abundance Class Abundant with Red Beard Restaurants Chefs -- Gillespie, Ward and Müller – July 11

“Top Chef” alum Kevin Gillespie and his own top chef flankers Joey Ward of Gunshow and Andreas Müller of Revival go three deep teaching the July 11 Simple Abundance class“Cooking with Red Beard” at The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown. Eager learners and Atlanta Community Food Bank supporters will learn how to prepare home-cooked dishes from Gillespie’s popular cookbook “Fire in My Belly.” On the board: cornbread pancakes with sliced Brandywine tomatoes and bacon mayonnaise, kung pao Brussels sprouts, and roasted chicken with golden raisin and sweet onion jus with spring greens. The red-bearded chef will stay after class to autograph his cookbooks. Bring yours or buy one or more that evening. To attend the 7-9 p.m. class, buy tickets on the ACFB website or call 404-892-3333 ext. 1444; $65 per person.

These Birds are Outstanding in Their Field and Flying to Atlanta Restaurants during Pastured Poultry Week, July 11-18

Imparting superior taste and nutrition, enjoying a humane, less stressful life and leaving a positive environmental footprint are a few of the outstanding characteristics of pastured poultry. Georgia’s fifth-annual Pastured Poultry Week, July 11-18, shines the spotlight on these happy, sustainably raised campers and their poultry prowess. Restaurants across the state are flocking to join in by featuring pastured poultry on their menus. Here in the metro area, wing it to Aria, Bellina Alimentari, Gunshow, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails and Seed Kitchen & Bar to gobble specialty dishes centered on pastured poultry.

Those hungry to learn more can attend the White Oak Pastures Pastured Poultry class at Bellina Alimentari on Monday, July 11. Bellina’s own chef Gizzy Barton will demo how to break down and cook a whole chicken during the 6:30-8 p.m. class. Buy tickets online. As they say, a pastured bird in the hand is, well, going to be delicious. 

What’SUP, Man? Ormsby’s SweetWater BOTE Board Raffle for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper – Buy Tickets Through July 30

Because it’s the rad and right thing to do to help Chattahoochee Riverkeeper efforts to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee River Basin. Through July 30, Ormsby’sand SweetWater Brewing Company are peddling $5 raffle tickets for a hip BOTE standup paddle board – ask an Ormsby’s server or bartender for details. Ormsby’s adds more liquid assets to the cause by donating $1 from every SweetWater brew sold in June and July to the environmentally conscious organization. Sweet beer, sweet board and a sweet, cool place to hang out on Atlanta’s Westside. Navigate the social stream at @sweetwaterbrewand @boteboards; tag along at #dontfloatthemainstream#crkeeper #atl #ormsbys #westside #coolatlanta #outdoors.

HOBNOB Summer Forkcast Offers Hot Discount on Hot Atlanta Days

Instead of sweating out broiling hot summer days and nights, give thanks. According to the HOBNOB Summer Forkcast, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern guests enjoy 20 percent off food and drink when the temperature rises to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Stipulations apply: HOBNOB-ers must mention Summer Forkcast to their server to redeem; cannot be combined with any other offers. Sweat beads dissipate when confronted with frosty brews, chillin’ cocktails or your favorite tall iced beverage in HOBNOB’s air-conditioned comfort or sunset-savvy outdoor patio. Go withs? The Midtown watering hole serves crisp salads such as the BLT, the BASE, Mother Nature and tomato and burrata with the upcharge option of adding shrimp, grilled chicken, steak or salmon. Guac, pico de gallo, Colby Jack cheese, HOBNOB beer cheese and sour cream temper spicy chili on Mother Lode nachos. A duo of hummus and goat cheese spreads with carrots, celery and fresh baked pizza crust points are another cool app to share. Of course, those wanting more heat can savor chicken wings with hot or Asian sweet and spicy sauce (milder sauces available). And it’s just not summer in the South without biting into a fried green tomato BLT. Seriously.

Show Your Buns in The Big Burger Bite Photo Contest at Marlow's Tavern through July 19

Focus. Or have a friend do the honors of snapping a picture of you biting into your bodacious burger during the “Burger & Brews” celebration at Marlow's Tavern. Your pixels might win a dinner for four ($100 value) if you submit it to The Big Burger Bite contest using the Marlow's Facebook form or #MarlowsBurgerBite to post on Instagram and Twitter. Friends' mouths will water when they witness your burger joy and juicy drips on your chin -- and maybe they'll dash over to join you...especially if you win the prize. Entries accepted until July 19.

Chef Kevin Gillespie Judges Children’s “Top Chef” Competition for Quality Care for Children on July 8

Chef, restaurateur, speaker and author Kevin Gillespie will join Mara Davis and Steven Carse (King of Pops) to judge a midday team competition for Quality Care for Children. As part of the organization’s July 8 Health and Field Day at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Atlanta’s Westside, teams composed of two adults and 10 children each will go toque to toque, “Top Chef”-style, to create nutritious and innovative dishes. The catch is Play-Doh stands in for real ingredients! Quality Care for Children focuses on creating excellence in child care and early learning by providing quality training and resources to child care providers and ensuring affordable, quality care for early learning experiences.

Brake for Burritos! Road Trip It to 27 Willy’s Before August 14 to Win

Fill your guac tank with real fuel food this summer, and you could win free burritos for a year. Accept Willy’s challenge and visit 27 Willy’s Mexicana Grill locations before August 14 (not counting the soon-to-open Lawrenceville location). Stash all those receipts in a handy place -- they’ll serve as a sort of passport stamp, recording your purchase at each stopover. After collecting a receipt from each Willy’s, email community@willys.com to pass along the good news and set up a time to show off those receipts to the Willy’s team. For fun, post a social selfie “wishing you were here” or “greetings from” each time you swing through a different Willy’s location. Use #WillysRoadTrip to help build one giant social scrapbook. Why take on the challenge? Prizes! The first five fans to complete the tasty task will win free burritos for a year (a.k.a. 52 free burrito cards). An additional $50 gift card will be awarded to travelers who visit the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta

International Airport location as an extra 28^th stop on their adventure. Other prizes include a catered party with the Willy’s food truck and an opportunity to go burrito-to-burrito in a roll-off against Willy himself for a grand prize. So what are you waiting for? Keep this list of Willy’s locations open by your map app:http://www.willys.com/locations. Hit the road, Jack (and Jane), and do drive safely. The car in front of you also may brake for burritos.

Stem Wine Bar Salutes Wines Born in the U.S.A. during July

Stem Wine Bar pays homage to the homeland this month, going firecrackers over wines from the U.S.A. From east to west and north to south, our spacious skies shine on grapevine trellised hills as well as those amber waves of grain. Owner/chef Doug Turbush prepares six small bite plates to harmoniously unite with sommelier Chris McNeill’s selections of wines. It’s your patriotic duty to meet these all-American wines in Stem’s unpretentious and fun atmosphere. Wednesday night wine tastings begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each (plus $3.19 service fee; gratuity added at in-store checkout). Seats are limited. Click on the date to buy tickets online: July 13, July 20, July 27.

What's New on Pinterest: Your July 4th Menu!

Raise the flag (cake). Light the night with glow cotton candy. Shoot off “fire rocket” cocktails. Our 4^th of July board is red, white and blue to the core and absolutely the place to muster up party plans, patriotic decorations, Old Glory-themed treats and timesaving BBQ hacks for kitchen independence, such as skewer doers and make-ahead shrimp boil foil packets. When air and grill temperatures rise, douse them with doses of spiked iced tea for grownups and fizzy watermelon ice cream floats and patriotic punch for the young ‘uns. And this might seem like an American folktale, but it’s true and beaming on our board: a Paula Deen fast-and-easy peach cobbler recipe calling for only two tablespoons of butter for each cup of fresh peaches.

Tour Italy, One Bite at a Time, through Bellina Alimentari July Cooking Classes and Tastings

Break out of summer’s pizza at the pool or patio and opt for the air-conditioned comfort of culinary learning experiences at Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market. Browse and click on the following offerings to save your seat. Sales tax added at check out.

How will boxed pasta find its way into the grocery cart after participating in Bellina’s hands-on Pasta Making class? Taste your freshly made pasta and take some home. Offered Thursday, July 7 from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesday, July 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. ($45 per class).
 
White Oak Pastures wings up from Bluffton to lead a Pastured Poultry class during Pastured Poultry Week. Discover the delicious health and environmental virtues of these free-to-be birds and watch as chef Gizzy Barton demos how to break down and cook a whole chicken; Monday, July 11, 6:30-8 p.m. ($32).

Mama, Mia! Let’s plan, shop for, prepare and eat An Italian Meal. Source fresh, local ingredients while touring the Ponce City Farmers Market with Kenan Hill, shop for artisanal Italian ingredients at The Market at Bellina, then cook and eat a family style meal. Tuesday, July 12, 6:30-8 p.m. ($45).

Get a charge out of charcuterie when Kevin Ouzts from The Spotted Trotter leads guests through a guided tasting of four cured meats paired with natural Italian wines on Wednesday, July 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. ($28).

Bond over dough-drenched fingers while cracking eggs, mixing and rolling out pasta and relishing the results with your 8-12 year-old youngster at Kids Kitchen on Tuesday, July 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. ($45 covers parent and child).

Explore some of Italy’s finest natural wines paired with local, artisanal cheeses on a guided 3 Wine 3 Cheese tasting tour on Wednesday, July 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. ($28)
 
Summer Sauces really pan out as a way to lightly enliven meals on hot summer nights when Bellina Alimentari chef Gizzy Barton shows students how to make three easy sauces and how to cook the perfect pasta. Sampling the trio of dishes is encouraged at this class on Thursday, July 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m. ($38).

An Introduction to Amaro familiarizes guests with amari, herbal spirits that have been a longtime part of Italian culture. Visiting friends this summer? Italians often present a local amaro as a host gift. Light bites from Bellina’s kitchen accompany spirited tasting on Wednesday, July 27, 7-8:30 p.m. ($28).