Celebrating its 18th year, Taste of Atlanta returns to Historic Fourth Ward Park the weekend of October 18-20. More than 100 restaurants are participating, serving up bites by the forkful – and between buns too.  

Festivities kick off with a Friday night party hosted by Nick Leahy (AIX/Tin Tin) and a grouping of chefs who focus on sourcing locally and cooking seasonally.  Moontower provides the live music.  

Saturday and Sunday are the main tasting days with tents spread out throughout Fourth Ward Park. New to the festival this year are food districts, with groupings of like restaurants. They include Buford Highway, Hartsfield-Jackson, Brunch All Day, and Tailgating. You can even watch football games at the tailgating area.  

Will there be chicken? Oh yes, there will be chicken. Here’s a cheat sheet for finding some of the best and planning your visit. 

Chicken + Beer – Smoked Springer Mountain Farms chicken wings with Uncle Nearest barbecue sauce. 

Bulla Gastropub – Paella de pollo with artichoke confit, Portobello mushrooms, green peas, red sofrito, and saffron. 

Gus’s World Famous Chicken – Fried chicken in three forms: tender, wing, or leg. 

Hawker’s Asian Street Fare – Seoul hot chicken bao

Joella’s Hot Chicken – Signature jumbo tenders and mac and cheese. 

Ponko Chicken – Ponko Taco, O.G. Ponko pop in regular or spicy.  

Rock’s Chicken and Fries – Buttermilk fried chicken tenders with homemade sauces. 

Tacos & Tequilas – Mini chicken tacos. 

Three Dollar Café – Wings 

Top Golf – Wing trio: Asian, buffalo, and habanero. 

New this year is a Saturday night concert featuring Yacht Rock Revue. Ticket holders can bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the evening on the grass. Food trucks will be parked and serving up for purchase food.  

Cooking demonstrations and classes are also a big part of the festival. Here are three fun ones:

Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

High School Culinary students from Atlanta’s Miller Grove served up the Best Wing at the recent Springer Mountain Farms Wing Showdown. At Taste of Atlanta they will compete against one another for best chicken dish. 

Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Chef Will Brown of Will’s Creole Kitchen demystifies a classic dish and teaches the crowd how to easily make a delicious chicken étouffée. 

Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Chef and cookbook author Todd Richards (Richard’s Southern Fried, Chicken + Beer) demonstrates a spin on hot chicken.  

Taste of Atlanta

October. 18-20. Ticket prices begin at $30, VIP at $80. Historic Fourth Ward Park. 680 Dallas St. NE, Atlanta. www.tasteofatlanta.com