Grand Tasting Alpharetta Serves Up Deliciousness

Attendees from throughout Atlanta savored another year of delicious food and lively music during a memorable evening for the Grand Tasting Alpharetta event at The Hotel at Avalon, held earlier this month.

Presented by Taste of Atlanta, owned by Savannah native and longtime Atlantan Dale Gordon DeSena, the culinary event showcased more than 25 of Alpharetta’s top chefs and the city’s finest restaurants, including Rina Middle Eastern Street Food, Colletta, Oak Steakhouse, Up on the Roof, Delbar Middle Eastern, Foundation Social Eatery and South City Kitchen.

Crave Cookies took home the award for “Best Dessert.”

More than 1,000 attendees took part in the festivities, which included diverse and unlimited tastings, decadent desserts, craft cocktails, beer, wine and an assortment of beverages. In addition, live culinary demonstrations took place throughout the night, and music from an electric violinist and Lilac Wine, a popular local band, energized the night and kept the participants on their feet.

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According to DeSena, “Taste of Atlanta was the perfect event to pair delicious food and beverages with an opportunity to support our charity partners.”

Local nonprofit recipients included the North Fulton Community Charities, Giving Kitchen, and Second Helpings Atlanta. Attendees brought nonperishable items for donation to North Fulton Community Charities and were eligible to enter a raffle for an opportunity to win a Taste of Atlanta culinary prize.

Guests also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite food, beverage, and dessert of the evening. This year, Cattle Shed won “Best Taste” for their Wagyu burger served on a brioche bun. Crave Cookies was selected “Best Dessert” for their chocolate chip cookie, the Brookie, and Death by Red Velvet. “Best Beverage” was awarded to Bulleit Bourbon for their small batch bourbon and the many distinctive cocktails offered that night.

Attendees selected Cattle Shed as “Best Taste” winner of the night.

The city of Alpharetta has embraced the culinary event in full force. According to Janet Rodgers, President and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau, “We had an awesome evening at the Grand Tasting Alpharetta. The atmosphere was very fun and friendly with live music, delicious eats and plenty of drink options. There was an abundance of smiles from enthusiastic vendors and excited attendees. Every aspect of the evening was well organized, and we look forward to welcoming this event back to Alpharetta next year.”

Grand Tasting Alpharetta is presented by Taste of Atlanta in partnership with Awesome Alpharetta and the City of Alpharetta. Next up for the organizations is Grand Tasting Midtown, which will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Epicurean Hotel in Midtown.