‘Food That Rocks’ Returns to Sandy Springs June 8

Sandy Springs’ favorite food fest, Food That Rocks, comes back to the City Green for a one-night culinary extravaganza on Thursday, June 8. Attendees will sip, savor and celebrate the community’s vibrant culinary scene as they indulge in unlimited tastes of mouth-watering food from more than 25 of Sandy Springs’ best restaurants. Craft cocktails, wine, beer, and a decadent dessert bar will also be part of the evening’s offerings.

The yearly event is a perennial favorite among residents of Sandy Springs, and well attended by the larger Atlanta community as well. Presented by Taste of Atlanta, Visit Sandy Springs and the City of Sandy Springs, the carefully curated gourmet gathering showcases a variety of menu favorites offered throughout the growing city. Restaurants participating this year include: Chef Rob’s Caribbean Café, Colonial Kitchen & Bar, The General Muir, il Giallo Osteria & Bar, Nowak’s, The Select Restaurant + Bar, Southern Bistro, SabaRaba’s and Under the Cork Tree, among many others.

Food, cocktails, music and fun are always on the menu at the Sandy Springs event.

“I’m incredibly proud of Sandy Springs’ growing restaurant scene. There’s always something new to check out, along with favorite spots to re-visit. If you’re having trouble picking one restaurant over another, Food That Rocks lets you sample from some of the city’s most popular dining destinations all in one night,” said Rusty Paul, mayor of Sandy Springs.

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But a Taste of Atlanta event like Food that Rocks would not be complete without an energetic, get-up-and-dance band. This year, event goers will eat their music-loving hearts out with live tunes from popular Atlanta band, The Geek Squad, an energetic, get-up-and-dance band, performing all the best Motown, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and Top 40 Hits. What’s more, the jam-packed evening will also feature a violinist, live cooking demonstrations by some of Sandy Springs’ “rock star chefs,” a tarot card reader, caricature artist, 360 photobooth and much more.

With community connection always in mind, Food That Rocks is a true party with a purpose, providing attendees with a way to contribute to several area non-profits including Community Assistance Center, The Giving Kitchen, Second Helpings Atlanta, and Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Desserts — and a wide assortment of them — are in abundance each year.

“We are thrilled to bring Food That Rocks back to City Springs for the eighth year. Our mission is to provide a delicious and fun experience for all attendees and unite the community with the amazing Sandy Springs’ chefs and restaurants. It is a wonderful way for people to try new restaurants and revisit old favorites, all in one location and for one ticket price. We promise that the event will truly be a one-of-a-kind culinary celebration,” says Dale DeSena, founder of Food That Rocks and Taste of Atlanta.

Tickets for Food That Rocks are all-inclusive, providing an all-access experience of delicious food bites and beverage tastings for adults 21 and older. General admission and VIP tickets are now available and can be purchased at FoodThatRocks.org. VIP ticket holders get early access to Food That Rocks from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., a special welcome cocktail and VIP goody bag (one per household) and cost $125 per ticket. General admission is from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and tickets cost $85 per person. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended as tickets typically sell out prior to the event. Group ticket packages are also available at a special rate and may be purchased by contacting [email protected] to inquire.

Taste of Atlanta will present three other food festivals during 2023. Following Food that Rocks, the Grand Tasting Westside will take place at The Foundry at Puritan Mill on Thursday, July 20. The Hotel at Avalon is the venue for Grand Tasting Alpharetta on Thursday, Sept. 7. The final event is the Grand Tasting Midtown at the Epicurean Hotel Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 19. All events are held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with VIP entry tickets allowing a 6 p.m. admittance. Tickets for these events may be purchased at www.TasteofAtlanta.com.

Foodies look forward to the many live chef demonstrations during Food that Rocks.

10 Fun Facts You May Not Know About Food that Rocks

1) Food That Rocks was created by Taste of Atlanta founder and Sandy Springs resident, Dale DeSena, to give Sandy Springs residents a local “Party with a Purpose” in their own community.
2) Food That Rocks is the only event created to exclusively showcase restaurants in Sandy Springs.
3) Since the first Food That Rocks in 2016, Sandy Springs has attracted more restaurants than at any other time in its history.
4) Food That Rocks uses all of the City Green space, measuring more than 200’ x 100’.
5) Each restaurant/chef prepares more than 600 tastes for the event.
6) Taste of Atlanta provides more than 25,000 serving dishes, 25,000 napkins, and 15,000 forks and spoons for use by the participating restaurants.
7) During the event, Food That Rocks serves a selection of more than 10 craft cocktails, six beers, and six wines.
8) Nine months of planning goes into the one-day event.
9) More than 50 staff, additional workers and volunteers will work together this year to make Food that Rocks happen.
10) Attendees are asked to bring a food donation for the Sandy Springs community food pantry, and all leftover food is donated to Second Helpings Atlanta to distribute to partner organizations.