The AJC Decatur Book Festival began as a way to celebrate the spoken and written word. Now in its 14th year, the festival returns this weekend to connect readers with writers. Local, national, and international authors are ready with fiction, poetry, travel stories, history, wellness, and other bound works.  

On the culinary stage, sponsored by Springer Mountain Farms, many of those writers in the cooking category will also show techniques, share tips, and demonstrate their particular style. There will be sights, scents, stories, and often, samples.  

Here are a few standouts not to miss on the Decatur Square and two follow up events to round out the experience. The festival runs from Friday, August 30 through Sunday September 1.

Modern Greek Cooking: 100 Recipes for Meze, Entrees, and Dessert

Saturday, August 31, 11:15 AM

In Kyma chef Pano Karatossos’ beautiful book, he puts a modern twist on the recipes passed down from his grandmother and sometimes adds a southern twist. He is charismatic when he talks about Greece and its islands.

Whole Hog BBQ: The Gospel of Carolina Barbecue with recipes from Sky;ight Inn and Sam Jnes BBQ

Saturday, August 31, 3 PM

Here’s your chance to ask tips of the trade from a true master. Third generation pitmaster Sam Jones will be on stage to talk history, tradition, and iconic Carolina style chopped pork barbecue. His book has been hailed as a definitive guide.

Bruce Moffett Cooks: A New England Chef in a New Southern Kitchen

Saturday, August 31, 4:15 PM

The recipes of Charlotte chef Bruce Moffett (Good Food on Montford, Barrington’s, Stagione) incorporate his New England roots and the local and seasonal ingredients of his adopted region while being grounded in classic technique.

South By North, White Bull

On Sunday, September 1 at 12:30 Moffett will cook a special Sunday Supper with fellow New England transplant Pat Pasccarella at White Bull on Decatur Square. Together, they will celebrate their journey from the north to southern kitchens through 5 courses and a welcome cocktail. A signed book is included in the $65 ticket. Georgia Grown sponsors this event. Tickets

Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals. Formulas, Evolutions

Saturday, August 31, 5:30 PM

From the authors of Death & Co., Cocktail Codex is a primer on the trio’s “root cocktail” approach to mixing cocktails. Alex Day, Nick Fauchauld, and David Kaplan lend unique insight and tools for crafting drinks for bartenders of all levels. It’s a James Beard Award winner and winner at Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book. Alex Day will be on hand to spill some secrets.

Kimball House. 303 E. Howard Ave. Decatur. 404-378-3502, Kimball-house.com.

Following the talk and signing, Day heads to Kimball House  at 7 PM for a ticketed event for the book. Miles Macquarrie will mix up cocktails from the book, while chef Brian Wolfe serves up bites.

Tex Mex Cookbook: Traditions, Innovations, and Comfort Foods from Both Sides of the Border

Sunday, September 1, 12 PM

Chef/Restaurateur Ford Fry shares the story of his personal journey from Texas to New England to Atlanta and the restaurant empire he created. The recipes within are fresh, vibrant, and soul-satisfying versions of the comfort food he loves. We have taste tested them and they are crave-able.

For a complete schedule of the AJC Decatur Book Festival, click here. We’ll see you near the culinary stage and the surrounding area with vendors and samples. Delicious aromas will lead the way.