SPECIAL THANKS The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is nothing short of a collaborative effort. While the Festival team is on the front lines and often the most visible, there is an army of supporters making things happen behind the scenes. Since our start, we have been surrounded by amazing people who have generously joined in our dream of shining an international spotlight on our region’s food and beverage traditions. They have been our cheerleaders, confidants and mentors, poised to prop us up, push us forward and remind us that they have our backs. We are indebted to our: • Advisory Council. This superstar group of chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, distillers, brewers and industry leaders inspires us with their talent, passion, creativity and unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting our region’s rich food and drink traditions. • Story Board. Our newest members to the Advisory Council, this committee’s collective voice is helping us to spread the gospel of Southern food and drink far and wide. • Sponsors. So much of what happens over the weekend would not be possible without the ongoing support of our sponsors, many of which have been with us for several years. We are also grateful to the Midtown community, which continues to be a beautiful backdrop for our weekend. We appreciate Midtown Alliance and its members for helping to roll out the red carpet for Festival guests. Each year, we are supported by many business and civic leaders, without whom we may not have a Festival. They have been confidants, sounding boards, problem-solvers and cheerleaders. Thank you Scott Selig, Selig Enterprises; John McColl and Thad Ellis, Cousins Properties; Kevin Green, Midtown Alliance; and Ceasar Mitchell, Atlanta City Council. You gentlemen exemplify the meaning of leadership. We are also thankful for Lt. Terry Joyner, Atlanta Police Department; Chris Leighty and the entire Midtown Blue force, and Kyle Guess and the Midtown Green team. Thank you to Chris Matthew, Olivier Gaupin, Mark Castriota and their teams at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. The Loews has truly become our home and we are so appreciative of the level of service and care you provide each of our guests. You are more than your tagline – “the room we need.” You’re the room we want! From aesthetics and landscaping to alcohol permits, there are a lot of behind-the-scenes people who lend their professional expertise and services to the Festival. Thank you to Patrick Johnson, Lucy Aiken-Johnson, Elisa Gangone and team at ai3 for designing our Connoisseur Lounge. Thank you to Mollie Kitchens, Karen Mooney, James Pope and team at Ballard Designs for all you do to make our Loews and Midtown “homes” so welcoming and comfortable for guests. Thank you to Mandy Kellogg Rye, Waiting on Martha, for infusing classic Southern style into our Connoisseur Dinner Series and other events. Thank you to Todd Yeager, Missy Madden and team for their design of Vineyard in the City and Michael Jackson from Heirloom Tree & Garden for making sure the vines and plants look beautiful! Many thanks also go to some great behind-the-scenes advocates, including Michele Stumpe, Taylor & English, and Mark Banta, Piedmont Park Conservancy. SOUTHERN LIVING We are happy to continue our fantastic relationship with our many friends at TIME, Inc., who have been incredibly generous, kind and enthusiastic champions. Now in the second year of our partnership, Southern Living has continued to be a wonderful ally and collaborator. Sid Evans, Ron King, Claire Rock and team have been amazing friends, sounding boards and partners. We are grateful for the continued support from Chris Grdovic, Joe Messer (now Travel + Leisure) and Keira Ford Schuler at FOOD & WINE. A special thank you to Greg Schumann and Brendan Ripp, TIME Inc., who continue to keep their fingers on the pulse of the Festival, giving us big ideas and a lot of laughs.
| FESTIVAL TEAM
IWSC Group We are proud and thankful to be a part of the IWSC Group and for the opportunity to work with Allen Gibbons, Andrew Joseph, Ewan Lacey, Beverly Lucas, Ajit Puri, Anna Grant and teams.
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FAMILY Behind every good Festival is an even better family! Mike and Hampton Greto; Frank, Carter and Henry White; Dylan Feichter White; Mark Feichter; Nicole Love; Carol Feichter; Robert and Jan Love; Bruce, Tripp and Tate Ferguson, and the rest of the AF&WF team families, we love and appreciate you.