Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (AFWF), presented by Invesco QQQ, has announced the host talent lineup for its 16th year, taking place September 10-13 at The Home Depot Backyard. Built around the theme “The City is the Story,” this year’s festival will be brought to life by a roster of culinary personalities, broadcast hosts and Atlanta tastemakers who will guide guests through each day’s distinct tasting experience. Tickets are now on sale at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
This year’s host talent lineup brings together some of the biggest names in food and television to guide guests through each day of the festival. Atlanta Journal-Constitution food and dining editor Monti Carlo will open the festival Thursday by hosting “The Atlanta Standard,” followed by Bizarre Foods’ Andrew Zimmern, who takes the reins Friday for “Flavors of Atlanta.”
Saturday will bring a double header, with celebrity chef and caterer Shawn Osbey hosting “The Southern Spread” in the afternoon, and restaurateur and chef Ford Fry hosting “Stacked: The Burger Social” presented by Mike’s Amazing that evening.
The festival will close out Sunday with Emmy Award winner Kardea Brown hosting “The Homecoming,” and Real Housewives of Atlanta star, restaurateur and cookbook author Kelli Potter hosting “Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair.”
Each host chef will have a dedicated tasting station at their event, and hosts of the Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods will also lead a live cooking demo at the Publix Culinary Demonstration Stage, preparing a signature recipe and engaging directly with festival guests. Longtime Atlanta broadcaster Mara Davis will serve as emcee for the Publix Culinary Demonstrations all four days, welcoming guests and keeping the energy high as each day’s theme unfolds.
2026 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ Host Talent & Event Schedule
THURSDAY, SEPT. 10 | THE ATLANTA STANDARD HOSTED BY MONTI CARLO
Tasting Tents Presented by Goya Foods
VIP: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; General Admission: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Every city has its signature. This is Atlanta’s. From late-night eats and neighborhood legends to rising stars and cultural icons, The Atlanta Standard celebrates the people, flavors and creativity that make Atlanta unlike anywhere else. Monti Carlo, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s senior dining editor, hosts an evening packed with chef-driven bites, innovative cocktails, incredible wines, live music and plenty of ATL swagger inside the Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods at The Home Depot Backyard.
Ticket Price: General Admission: $125 | VIP: $175
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 | FLAVORS OF ATLANTA HOSTED BY ANDREW ZIMMERN
Tasting Tents Presented by Goya Foods
VIP: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; General Admission: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Atlanta’s flavors run deep. Shaped by generations of cultures, communities and culinary traditions, Flavors of Atlanta celebrates the people and places that make the city one of the most dynamic food destinations in the country. Renowned chef, writer, TV host and culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern hosts this high-energy walk-around tasting, taking guests on a trip around the globe through Latin spices, Asian influence, Caribbean flair and beyond, alongside Atlanta’s most exciting chefs, restaurants and beverage partners.
Ticket Price: General Admission: $145 | VIP: $195
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 | THE SOUTHERN SPREAD HOSTED BY SHAWN OSBEY
Tasting Tents Presented by Goya Foods
VIP: 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; General Admission: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Southern Spread is where Southern hospitality, bold flavors and Atlanta’s creative spirit come together. From time-honored recipes to locally sourced ingredients, this lively afternoon gathering celebrates the chefs and visionaries who keep Southern traditions thriving. Hosted by chef and visionary caterer Shawn Osbey, guests will gather under the Georgia sun for an afternoon of comforting classics, innovative interpretations, expertly paired beverages, live music and the unmistakable energy of Atlanta’s food community. From Southern staples to fresh culinary perspectives, this is a celebration of the people, flavors and traditions that make the South and Atlanta so delicious.
Ticket Price: General Admission: $145 | VIP: $195
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 | STACKED: THE BURGER SOCIAL HOSTED BY FORD FRY presented by MIKE’S AMAZING
Early Access 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; General Admission: 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Stacked: The Burger Social presented by Mike’s Amazing is a mouthwatering celebration of America’s favorite handheld bite. Hosted by restaurateur and chef Ford Fry, the event brings together chefs, restaurants and culinary personalities to show off their most creative, over-the-top and downright delicious burger creations. From perfectly smashed patties and towering stacks to unexpected toppings and bold flavor combinations, every Chef offers a new contender for your favorite bite of the night. Pair it all with wine, spirits and other beverages while enjoying the high-energy atmosphere of one of the festival’s most craveable events.
Ticket Price: General Admission: $109 | VIP: $145
SUNDAY, SEPT. 13 | THE HOMECOMING HOSTED BY KARDEA BROWN
Tasting Tents Presented by Goya Foods
VIP: 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; General Admission: 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Close out the festival weekend with one more day of smoky and savory bites. The Homecoming is a celebration filled with bold flavors, Sunday Funday vibes and the unmistakable warmth of Atlanta hospitality. Hosted by Kardea Brown, the Emmy award-winning Food Network host, welcomes friends old and new as Atlanta’s chefs fire up the grills, pour the drinks and serve up the bold, comforting dishes that make festival memories.
Ticket Price: General Admission: $125 | VIP: $175
SUNDAY, SEPT. 13 |SOUTHERN FRIED: A FRIED CHICKEN AFFAIR HOSTED BY KELLI POTTER
Early Access 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; General Admission: 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Golden, crispy, and impossible to resist. Southern Fried celebrates one of the South’s most beloved dishes with a walk-around tasting featuring classic Southern recipes and bold global interpretations, hosted by Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member, restaurateur and cookbook author Kelli Potter. From Nashville hot and buttermilk-brined favorites to Korean or Japanese, this flavor-packed event proves that great fried chicken knows no borders.
Ticket Price: General Admission: $109 | VIP: $145
SUNDAY, SEPT. 13 | WHISKEY & FIRE ATLANTA
Guardian Works | 775 Echo St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Early Access 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; General Admission: 5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ welcomes back Whiskey & Fire Atlanta for its second year, a collaboration between Heritage Fire and Whiskies of the World uniting world-class whiskey with locally crafted culinary experiences. Wander between open-fire cooking stations featuring acclaimed chefs, savor wood-fired bites and explore hundreds of whiskies from around the globe.
Ticket Price: General Admission: $119 | VIP: $159
