Taste of Atlanta brings kick-ass food to City Springs | Sandy Springs News

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Taste some Atlanta food rocking in City Springs on June 6 is a great example of a party with a purpose.

As 7 p.m. approached, nearly an hour after the culinary festivities began, a line of hundreds of people wrapped around Galambos Way and onto Blue Stone Road.

Partners helped each other put on $85 bracelets – the price of admission – while others searched for their friends and neighbors in the crowd.

For one night only, all ticket purchasers had unlimited access to culinary tastings from 25 of Sandy Springs’ best restaurants and six local bakeries.

Butch Elmgren, owner of Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House, said vendors had to bring enough portions for about 800 people.

Elmgren said his restaurant missed the event last year due to an emergency, but he’s excited to be back.

For the ninth year, the Taste of Atlanta all-inclusive dining experience came to the Sandy Springs City Green. Laying down new artificial turf, thousands of people filled the green space and joined in with the live music of Oxford Soul.

The mix of classic 1970s rock and 2010s pop hits from local artists had couples young and old dancing all night long.

Of course, at any 21-and-over gathering, guests grabbed a cup of their favorite wine, beer or cocktail from more than a dozen well-known brands.

Before the evening, Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Melody Kelley called it her favorite event of the year at the June 4 City Council meeting.

As she walked the City Green, Councilwoman Jody Reichel said her favorite part of the event was seeing all of her friends and neighbors. She said people from all over metro Atlanta came to the event, which promotes City Springs, the city and its restaurants.

His favorite participating restaurant is Breadwinner, especially their combination of smoked brisket and mac and cheese.

The evening is considered a party with purpose thanks to its partnership with the Community Assistance Center, Second Helpings Atlanta and The Giving Kitchen.

Second Helpings Atlanta, founded at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs in 2004, became an independent nonprofit organization in 2012. It focuses on reducing hunger and food waste in metro Atlanta.

In 2023, they diverted 5.2 million pounds of surplus food from landfills and distributed 400,000 prepared meals through partner agencies.

Cameron Darweesh, director of engagement at the Community Assistance Center, collected non-perishable food items from clients at the main entrance. Donations support the local charity, which provides basic assistance to families in the Perimeter region.

The DeKalb County School District and its many local high school culinary programs are partnering with Taste of Atlanta to provide students with hands-on work experience.

Former DeKalb County High School seniors Dulce Lambda and Ari Betan-Snook returned to the culinary arts program after their first year off from college. Students rotate between different restaurants, participating in cooking demonstrations and service.

During her third Food That Rocks, Lambda said she enjoys the atmosphere, diverse crowd and new restaurants every time she goes out.

Dale DeSena started food festivals in 2001. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in spring 2020, food tasting events in Atlanta took a two-year hiatus.

Now the events are back.

In April, the organization presented its all-new Atlanta Wing Fest at Uptown Towers in Buckhead.

Taste of Atlanta’s next Eatertainment experience, Grand Tasting Alpharetta, will take place August 8 at the Avalon Hotel.