Foodie Events: Celebrating Ice Cream and Carribean Jerk, plus The Atlanta Food Rave

Chef Keira Moritz of Pacci Ristorante, one of the featured chefs at The Atlanta Food Rave

Here are a few upcoming food events you may want to add to your calendar!

• Friday, August 27, 2010  The Atlanta Food Rave, a fun evening featuring delicous food samples from some of Atlanta's hottest chefs.  Cocktails will be served at a premium open bar featuring Three Olives Vodka, Leblon Chachaca, Tapena Spanish Wines, and live entertainment will round out the evening.    The featured chefs for the evening are Chef Keira Moritz (Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Rooftop Lounge), Chef Lance Gummere (The Shed at Glenwood), Chef Alex Friedman (P'cheen International Bistro & Pub), Chef Delroy Bowen (GA International Convention Center) and Chef LaToya Starks (Norrish Personal Chef and Catering Services).  Not only will you get to sample each featured chef's tasty offerings, you will also be judging as they compete to win the title of best chef of the evening, The Rave Review.    The event will be held this Friday from 7-11 PM at the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery in Midtown.  A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit The Atlanta Community Food Bank.  Tickets are $55 per person, but quantities are limited and they will not be sold at the door.  Purchase your tickets now before the event sells out!   For more information, visit http://www.atlantafoodrave.com/.  Purchase Tickets
• Saturday, August 28, 2010  Here's a fun way to beat the heat this weekend:  The Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, coming to Piedmont Park this Saturday from 1-7 PM.    The event will feature live music, multiple vendors serving up delicious ice cream, food and beverages, and a Kids Zone with fun activities for the young ones.  Leaving no stone unturned, the festival also will feature health and fitness activies (no doubt to burn off all the ice cream and treats you'll consume).   For more information, visit the event site at http://www.atlantaicecreamfestival.com/.
• Saturday, August 28, 2010  The first ever Morningside Summer Block Party happens this Saturday between 12:30-9PM in the parking lot between DBA Barbecue and The Original El Taco (1190 N. Highland Avenue at Amsterdam Ave).  DBA, Vali Thai and El Taco will be serving up food, Abita beer and cocktails for purchase.  There will also be a designated kids area for the young ones, and live music all day  Advance tickets are only $5 ($10 at the door) and kids 14 and under are admitted free.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit Firehouse #19 in Virginia-Highland.  Purchase Tickets
• Sunday, September 5, 2010 Ohh...I think I'll be including this in my Labor Day weekend plans-The 5th annual Atlanta Carribean Jerk Festival at Panthersville Stadium in Decatur from 12 PM-11 PM.  Live reggae, soca and calypso music, a jerk cook-off to crown Atlanta's next Top Jerk Chef, plus a new addition for this year's festival-a celebrity jerk cook-off!  There will be tons of family friendly activities and of course plenty of delicious Carribean fare-everything from curried goat to roti!  The event will also feauture a variety of fruit and craft vendors.  I love Carribean cuisine, so this event is right up my alley!  Admission to the event is only $10, and kids under 12 get in free.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Atlanta/Montego Bay Sister Cities Foundation and other charities.  Free parking will be available at the event.  For more information, visit the event site at http://www.atlantajerkfestival.com/