Thousands Gather for Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival
The community came together on Oct. 22 for the fun-filled, annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival at Brook Run Park.
Sasha Heller is the Web Editor and Copy Editor for the Atlanta Jewish Times
Last year, the annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival enjoyed nearly record-level attendance numbers, as community members were eager to reconvene in-person after the lengthy COVID pandemic.
This year, with Israel engaged in a devastating conflict with Hamas, the festival attracted an even larger number of attendees, as many were drawn to the tasty delicacies, but even more likely came to take comfort in their Jewishness in large numbers and in relative safety.

The event, now in its 11th year and presented by the Hebrew Order of David, featured 21 cooking teams, with many teams from previous festivals returning, competing in four categories: Beef Ribs, Beef Brisket, Chili, and Chicken. The winners for each category were as follows: Grand Champion – Burnt Offerings; Beef Ribs – Burnt Offerings; Beef Brisket – 8th Day BBQ; Chicken – Carolina Chopped; Chili – Carolina Chopped.
Members of the Atlanta Kashruth Commission oversaw the preparation standards and provided kosher certifications for all the competing cooking teams.

To keep the minds of attendees at ease, event organizers provided enhanced security detail at the festival. This year, as many as 10 security officers patrolled the event grounds, more than twice the number of security personnel as last year.
The Atlanta Jewish Times held a community raffle to give away four ATV/Go-cart vehicles. The winners were: Sandra Glassman, Heather Barnes, Deborah Hatherley, and Nathan Katz. Also won in the raffle were a pair of toy grills, won by Elana Horawitz and Avi Tohar.
The festival also featured a Kids Zone with bounce houses, community expo, silent auction, and live music.
BBQ Winners
Grand champion – BURNT OFFERINGS
Beef Brisket
1st – 8th Day BBQ
2nd – Feederation
3rd – The Wandering Ques
Beef Ribs
1st – BURNT OFFERINGS
2nd – I’ll Have What She’s Having
3rd – Sons of BBQ (S.O.B)
Chili
1st – Carolina Chopped
2nd – CMCH Flames
3rd – Masterful Menches of Meat
Chicken
1st – Carolina Chopped
2nd – Pirates of the Cow-Rib-Bean
3rd – Moshe Ribino
Celebrity Judged Best Decorated Booth
The Grilling Barbie-Ques
Celebrity Judged Most Jewish Themed Booth
Moshe Ribino
Fan Favorite
Carolina Chopped
comments