Thousands Gather for Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival
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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.

By Sasha Heller October 25, 2023, 10:36 am Edit

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

  • Team Grillin' Barbie-Ques, a.k.a. the Atlanta Jewish Times staff, are pictured at the festival.
    Team Grillin' Barbie-Ques, a.k.a. the Atlanta Jewish Times staff, are pictured at the festival.
  • 8th Day BBQ, representing Congregation Kesher Torah, took home first place in the Beef Brisket category // Photo Credit: Kesher Torah Atlanta
    8th Day BBQ, representing Congregation Kesher Torah, took home first place in the Beef Brisket category // Photo Credit: Kesher Torah Atlanta
  • AJT staffers (from left) Katie Gaffin, Ilyssa Klein, Michal Bonell, Lilli Jennison, Rebecca LaBanca, Diana Cole with Dr. Jeri Breiner (second from right)
    AJT staffers (from left) Katie Gaffin, Ilyssa Klein, Michal Bonell, Lilli Jennison, Rebecca LaBanca, Diana Cole with Dr. Jeri Breiner (second from right)
  • The Atlanta Jewish Times won Best Decorated Booth at this year's Kosher BBQ Festival.
    The Atlanta Jewish Times won Best Decorated Booth at this year's Kosher BBQ Festival.
  • Emme Spillerman
    Emme Spillerman
  • Creative director Lilli Jennison poses in the AJT Barbie box with sister, Micah Staley.
    Creative director Lilli Jennison poses in the AJT Barbie box with sister, Micah Staley.
  • AJT Owner and Publisher Michael Morris and Dr. Jeri Breiner
    AJT Owner and Publisher Michael Morris and Dr. Jeri Breiner
  • AJT Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky and Lou Ladinsky
    AJT Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky and Lou Ladinsky
  • Sandra Glassman won one of the ATVs through the AJT’s community raffle.
    Sandra Glassman won one of the ATVs through the AJT’s community raffle.
  • Heather Barnes, pictured with her family, won one of the ATV giveaways as part of the Atlanta Jewish Times community raffle.
    Heather Barnes, pictured with her family, won one of the ATV giveaways as part of the Atlanta Jewish Times community raffle.
  • Bradley Rudy poses by the Ken poster.
    Bradley Rudy poses by the Ken poster.
  • The Kosher BBQ is all about grilling the tasty food.
    The Kosher BBQ is all about grilling the tasty food.
  • Avi Tohar won one of the toy grills raffled off by the Atlanta Jewish Times.
    Avi Tohar won one of the toy grills raffled off by the Atlanta Jewish Times.
  • Doug and Daniel Weinstein pictured in the Ken box.
    Doug and Daniel Weinstein pictured in the Ken box.
  • Risa Jennison and AJT Creative Director Lilli Jennison
    Risa Jennison and AJT Creative Director Lilli Jennison
  • AJT Associate Editor and Web Editor Sasha Heller
    AJT Associate Editor and Web Editor Sasha Heller
  • The Kosher BBQ is all about grilling the tasty food.
    The Kosher BBQ is all about grilling the tasty food.

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.

8th Day BBQ, representing Congregation Kesher Torah, took home first place in the Beef Brisket category // Photo Credit: Kesher Torah Atlanta

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

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