Kosher BBQ Festival Returns with Massive Turnout
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Kosher BBQ Festival Returns with Massive Turnout

An estimated 4,500 community members gathered for the 12th annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.

By Sasha Heller November 12, 2025, 12:58 pm Edit

Sasha Heller is the Web Editor and Copy Editor for the Atlanta Jewish Times

  • The cooking teams were hard at work preparing their samples.
    The cooking teams were hard at work preparing their samples.
  • The Masterful Menches of Meat were awarded Grand Champion // All photos by Robert Garber
    The Masterful Menches of Meat were awarded Grand Champion // All photos by Robert Garber
  • Attendees enjoy their barbeque while a young girl focuses on a flower.
    Attendees enjoy their barbeque while a young girl focuses on a flower.
  • Am Yisrael Chai and The Daffodil Project led a ceremonial planting.
    Am Yisrael Chai and The Daffodil Project led a ceremonial planting.
  • Several team members held a minyan before the festival began.
    Several team members held a minyan before the festival began.
  • A pair of teammates from Holy Smokes BBQ take a quick break from cooking to pose for a photo.
    A pair of teammates from Holy Smokes BBQ take a quick break from cooking to pose for a photo.
  • The festival featured several vendors selling their wares. Some, like this gentleman, took a more laid back approach.
    The festival featured several vendors selling their wares. Some, like this gentleman, took a more laid back approach.
  • Festival attendees line up for samples from the AJT's "Boot, Scoot & BBQ" booth.
    Festival attendees line up for samples from the AJT's "Boot, Scoot & BBQ" booth.
  • Approximately 4,500 guests attended the 12th annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.
    Approximately 4,500 guests attended the 12th annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.
  • The petting zoo was a big hit with the little ones.
    The petting zoo was a big hit with the little ones.
  • Lou Ladinsky, ever the team player, rides an inflatable horse as part of the AJT's "Boot, Scoot & BBQ" theme.
    Lou Ladinsky, ever the team player, rides an inflatable horse as part of the AJT's "Boot, Scoot & BBQ" theme.
  • The Kids Zone offered youngsters their choice of a half-dozen inflatable rides and bounce houses.
    The Kids Zone offered youngsters their choice of a half-dozen inflatable rides and bounce houses.
  • Bradley Ruby, dressed as a cowboy, is entertained by a card trick.
    Bradley Ruby, dressed as a cowboy, is entertained by a card trick.
  • Temima High School students sold vegan cupcakes at the festival for their senior fundraiser.
    Temima High School students sold vegan cupcakes at the festival for their senior fundraiser.
  • No Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival is complete without music. This year's festival featured this klezmer band and an Israeli DJ.
    No Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival is complete without music. This year's festival featured this klezmer band and an Israeli DJ.
  • AEPi were awarded second place for Best Chili.
    AEPi were awarded second place for Best Chili.
  • Trust the Process BBQ took home third place for Best Chicken.
    Trust the Process BBQ took home third place for Best Chicken.
  • The CMCA Flames won top prize for Best Chicken. The Flames also scored third place for Best Brisket and Best Beef Ribs.
    The CMCA Flames won top prize for Best Chicken. The Flames also scored third place for Best Brisket and Best Beef Ribs.
  • Fahrenheit 613 won second place in the Best Beef Ribs category.
    Fahrenheit 613 won second place in the Best Beef Ribs category.
  • Shofar So Good won second place in the Best Brisket category. Shofar So Good also took home the award for Best Team Name.
    Shofar So Good won second place in the Best Brisket category. Shofar So Good also took home the award for Best Team Name.
  • Michael Wolmer, of Noah's Bark, displays the team's trophy for first place in the Best Brisket category. Notably, Noah's Bark won the first ever perfect score in the brisket category // Photo Credit: Allen Wolmer
    Michael Wolmer, of Noah's Bark, displays the team's trophy for first place in the Best Brisket category. Notably, Noah's Bark won the first ever perfect score in the brisket category // Photo Credit: Allen Wolmer

What a difference a year makes.

It may have been the fact that there was no Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival last year, but whatever the reason, an estimated 4,500 community members gathered on Nov. 9 at Brook Run Park – marking the largest number of attendees in recent memory.

In fact, there were so many attendees that the cooking teams ran out of samples by 2:30 p.m., much to the dismay of several tasters. However, at that point, there were still plenty of vendors and food trucks offering delicious dishes, and guests had a bevy of entertainment options to choose from including live music featuring a Klezmer band and an Israeli DJ, and the Kids Zone which offered a half-dozen blow-up, bounce house-type amusements.

Attendees enjoy their barbeque while a young girl focuses on a flower.

While enjoying the live entertainment and community atmosphere and reveling in the serenity of being proudly Jewish in public, surrounded by thousands of fellow Jews and barbeque enthusiasts, guests were invited to interact with local organizations like the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, StandWithUs, and many more. The recent surge of antisemitism that has plagued American Jews the past few years was momentarily deafened by the laughter and camaraderie of Jewish Atlanta gathering in Dunwoody on a windy Sunday afternoon to enjoy good food, good times, and an everlasting link to Jewish history and culture.

And, of course, there was the cookoff. Eighteen teams competed in the categories of chili, brisket, chicken, and beef ribs, as well as best team name and best decorated booth. The official winners for the 12th annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival are as follows:

The Masterful Menches of Meat were awarded Grand Champion // All photos by Robert Garber

CHILI
1st: Masterful Menches of Meat
2nd: AEPi
3rd: 8th Day BBQ | Shofar So Good

BRISKET
1st: Noah’s Bark
2nd: Shofar So Good
3rd: CMCA Flames

CHICKEN
1st: CMCA Flames
2nd: 8th Day BBQ
3rd: Trust the Process BBQ

BEEF RIBS
1st: Masterful Menches of Meat
2nd: Fahrenheit 613
3rd: CMCA Flames

Am Yisrael Chai and The Daffodil Project led a ceremonial planting.

With the top overall score, the Masterful Menches of Meat were awarded Grand Champion, presented by the Hebrew Order of David. Shofar So Good won first place for Best Team Name and the Atlanta Jewish Times took home top prize for Best Decorated Booth with their theme, Boot Scoot & BBQ.

One sentimental highlight of the festival was when Am Yisrael Chai, The Daffodil Project, and 3GATL led a ceremonial daffodil planting, directed by Andrea Videlefsky, the president and founder of both organizations, on the grounds at Brook Run.

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