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Southern Chefs Potluck

👎 BAD NEWS: WWG recently learned that its long-standing USDA grant was not awarded for the upcoming cycle. The USDA grant has powered WWG's Fresh for Less -- our flagship, statewide food insecurity program -- since 2015. 👍 GOOD NEWS: Thanks to our broad base of support from committed citizens like YOU, WWG's Fresh for Less program is still going strong, Our base of support grew at Southern Chefs Potluck, which raised a record high $400,000. Although a major fundraiser like Southern Chefs Potluck makes a dent in our funding gap, it doesn't close it. 📢 WHY IT MATTERS: Budget cuts have a lasting impact for real people like Johnny from Columbus who depend on Wholesome Wave Georgia and the SNAP Program to eat healthy fruits and vegetables. "Without [WWG], we would not eat as healthy a diet! Neither myself nor my wife are capable of working anymore, so SNAP benefits have become an integral part of our budget." We’re in touch with state and local elected officials, corporate partners, and community foundations to secure additional support needed to continue amplifying access to fresh, healthy food to our communities. But the next opportunity for YOU to help is on Giving Tuesday. 🤝 HOW YOU CAN HELP: Donate to our Giving Tuesday campaign (link in bio) on or before December 1. Share our social media posts in November. Introduce us to elected officials and community foundations.

🧡A heartfelt thank you from the Wholesome Wave Georgia Team to everyone who made Southern Chefs Potluck such a great success in 2026. With your help we raised almost $400,000. 🤯 Thank you to our AMAZING guests, our in kind and financial donors, our auctioneer, Erin Kienzle of Giving4Good Events, our events committee, our event coordinator, Tailor & Table, the service staff from Southern National, our kitchen leads, Brandon Martin and Crystal Leach, our talented photographer, Jenna Shea Mobley, our gracious host, Serenbe, the chefs that donate the most delicious food year after year, the mixologists, and the volunteers. 🙏🙏🙏 🥰My personal heartfelt thanks goes out to the Wholesome Wave Georgia teammates who step out from behind the scenes (their comfort zone) to take on forward facing roles and run this event annually. Every single person who helped make this day perfect helps put fresh, healthy, locally grown produce on the tables of Georgia families in need. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. 🫂 @giving4goodevents @tailortable @southernnationalatl @chefbmart89 @csleach93 @serenbe

🔮Southern Chefs Potluck 2026 included the roll out of a stellar Mystery Wall brought to you by Delta Airlines and curated by WWG Events Chair, Mallory deGolian. 🎁A $125 Entry included a mystery bag containing a little something for everyone--anything from premium wines or spirits to CaseMate bags and Garnish & Gather gift cards. ✈️BONUS - Each Mystery Wall purchase was entered into a drawing to win 2 tickets to anywhere in the world that Delta flies. We sold out in record time and had so much fun along the way! 🙏Thank you to Delta, United Distributors, Beautiful Briny Sea, CaseMate, Fresh Harvest, Garnish & Gather, Little Light Co., Minhwa Spirits, Cathead Distillery, Murrell's Row Spirits, and all of the amazing participating restaurants. @delta @friendsofunited @beautifulbrinysea @casemate @freshharvest @garnishandgather @littlelightco @minhwaspirits @catheaddistillery @murrellsrowspirits

Of course, Southern Chefs Potluck would be nothing without the generosity of all of the 🧑‍🍳Chefs, 🍹Mixologists, and 💪Volunteers. Thank you for working so hard to help Wholesome Wave Georgia put on a hugely successful event, for providing such an amazing feast alongside the loveliest beverages, and for laboring into the evening alongside our team. We are eternally grateful to you.

🧡🧡The Wholesome Wave Georgia Team would like to extend a huge heartfelt THANK YOU to the SPONSORS of Southern Chefs Potluck 2026. We truly couldn't make this event happen without your contributions and partnership. Further, thank you, thank you, thank you to the Events Committee led by Events Chair, Mallory deGolian. Your planning, feedback, and support are the backbone of the event. Mallory, the amount of heart, soul, time, energy, and resources that you dedicate to this event and to Wholesome Wave Georgia year round are MOMENTOUS. You are a shining star. ✨✨ @mallorydeg @delta @serenbe @roughdraftatl @beautifulbrinysea @verizon @mwtwindows @r.scottbarber @thisisofficiallyfun @fiveandten @kristie.abney @capitalbillingservices @ihghotels

We loved partnering with Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and Evans Meats & Seafood for Southern Chefs Potluck. Thanks for the Q, y'all! Let's do it again next year, shall we? Same time. Same place. @foxbrosbarbq @evansmeatsandseafood

Southern Chefs Potluck 2026 may have passed, but there are still lots of lovely folks to recognize. My apologies to these stellar mixologists that didn't get a shout out prior to the event. Everyone please put your hands together for ... 🍹The always amazing and generous with her time, Courtney Castaneda of Kimball House. Courtney has been a staple at Southern Chefs Potluck for years and makes appearances at Backyard Bashes, Southern Sips, and beyond. Anytime we need her, she is there. Currently slinging drinks at Kimball House, Courtney had a long tenure with Ticonderoga Club previously. We especially thank her for bringing the N/A cocktail this year at Potluck. @covrtjc @kimballhouse @ticonderogaclub 🍸Charles Howk of Little Bear approaches cocktails like many of the Southern Chefs Potluck chefs approach food -- focusing on hyper-seasonality, local ingredients, a hint of playfulness, and some vegetal flavors for good measure. If you didn't get a chance to try his Flying Dragon Smash featuring Sapelo Apertivo from Creature Comforts and Trifoliate Orange from Concrete Jungle, you missed out. You'll just have to pay him a visit in Summerhill. @hater_ackermann @littlebearatl @concretejungleatl 🥛James Kim and his business partner, Ming, aim to make Soju using traditional ingredients and methods at Minhwa Spirits. The grain to glass distillery utilizes locally grown rice and pure mountain spring water to create Soju and Makgeoli that pay homage to the old traditional methods. James may have made the perfect autumnal cocktail, pairing jasmine and apple with Soju. @minhwaspirits

Psssst... We have another sneak peek at some of the Live Auction Lots for Southern Chefs Potluck. Take a look early and get your paddles ready. Which will you bid on? 🪄Explore the Magic of Quercus Nestled in the privacy of Georgia's hidden foothills, you and 5 friends will enjoy an incredible meal with wine pairings at farm-to-table restaurant, Uberto, the laboratory of Chef Ryan Smith and Kara Hidinger’s Michelin-starred Staplehouse. Before dinner, you’ll get an exclusive farm tour and pre-dinner drinks. VIP transportation provided to and from the venue. @quercus 🚐Buford Highway Culinary Tour Take a one-of-a-kind bus tour of the living mosaic of cultures along the BuHi corridor. Experience authentic international shopping, cuisine, and stories guided by Angie Mosier and Mallory deGolian, complete with "on-board beverages" by Greg Best. The Sunday of exploration for 10 will end with a sit-down feast at Kamayan. Surprise guests may help guide the tour along the way. @angiemosier @mallorydeg @deepthirst @kamayan_atl 🌮Who doesn’t love a taco party? You and 50-75 of your friends or colleagues will enjoy tacos and more from El Ponce and Local Three. You'll feast on delicious tacos packed with locally sourced ingredients -- including pork from Riverview Farms and produce from Fresh Harvest's farmer friends -- along with all the fixins, margaritas, and cervezas! You pick the venue or have the party on the patio at El Ponce. @elponceatl @localthree @riverview_farms @freshharvest 🛏️New FORTH Ward Staycation One lucky couple will experience the Old Fourth Ward in a totally new way. Begin your journey with a wine tasting at 3 Parks Wine, followed by a fantastic dinner at Il Premio and dessert at Big Softie. After a luxurious stay at The FORTH hotel, you’ll have leisurely lunch at O4W’s newest restaurant, Sargent. @3parkswine @ilpremioatlanta @bigsoftie @forthhotel @sargentatlanta

Not only does Chef Maximilian Hines churn out fun, casual bar food and Gulf Coast seafood favorites at Breaker Breaker, but he also fosters community and collaboration with his pop-up series, Stolen Goods, through which he hosts weekly pop-ups at Breaker Breaker and special occasion meals like the Fourth Annual Edna Lewis Sunday Supper at Bread & Butterfly. For a deeper cut, check out his short-lived but outstanding podcast, Just Sat with Maximilian Hines, where he speaks with major players of the Atlanta culinary scene. I wonder what Chef Hines will bring to Southern Chefs Potluck on Sunday. Whatever it is, we are here for it. Can't wait to see y'all! @maximilian_hines_ @breakerbreaker_atl @stolengoodsatl

_It's 5:00 somewhere (here, it's here) and we are dreaming of cocktails... Mixologist Carter Culwell of Talat Market will be slinging one of his delicious and creative concoctions at the Southern Chefs Potlluck reception on Sunday. When he was last with us in 2024, his cocktail featured cabbage. What do you think will be the key ingredient this go round? We would love to welcome our first ever Columbus-based mixologist, Chad Scrimpshire of Nonic. One look at Nonic's cocktail menu and you know that you are in for some fun. Bold and delicate flavors mix to form a playground for the palate. We are delighted to try one of Scrimpshire's libations. More mixologist profiles to come this week so belly up to the bar. You are in for a treat. @carter.culwell @talatmarketatl @nsync_fan69 @nonic_usa

At the heart of her business, Dandelion Food & Goods, Chef Stella Dillard underscores that Food Is Medicine, Food Is Fun, and Food Is Love. Inspired by nourishment, self-care, and joy, Chef Dillard cooks local, whole foods for you to enjoy in your home. If plant forward, allergen free, heartwarming food is your love language, Dandelion Food has you covered. 🫛🍅🥕 We can't wait to see what Chef Dillard brings to Southern Chefs Potluck on Sunday! @stellamakessalads @dandelionfoodstore

Psssst... We have a sneak peek at some of the Live Auction Lots for Southern Chefs Potluck. Take a look early and get your paddles ready. 🏡Ultimate Serenbe House Party: This special 2027 Sunday night event for 12 guests, curated by Marie Nygren, starts with a glass of bubbly at Serenbe’s wine shop, a walking tour of Serenbe with Steve Nygren, a stop at Austin’s - Serenbe’s intimate cocktail bar, followed by dinner by Chef Steven Satterfield and breakfast by Chef Anne Quatrano. Your residence for the evening will be The Portal, a Scandinavian-inspired 6-bedroom, 8-bathroom intimate retreat in Serenbe. 💭Dinner Party of Your Dreams: Award-winning Chefs Christopher Grossman, Joey Ward, Karl Gorline and Claudia Martinez invite you for an exclusive Sunday evening at Georgia Boy, where up to 14 of you will have the restaurant all to yourselves. 🎉 Backyard Bash: A backyard cocktail bash for 25 of your closest friends catered by chefs and mixologists of Southern Chefs Potluck... You provide the location, and we’ll pull together the food, drinks and décor! Stay tuned for more Live Auction Lots later this week.

🍔A good burger, made with the best ingredients, can be a heartfelt testament to feeding neighbors. At Chef Malik Rhasaan's low key eatery, Che Butter Jonez, the burger rules. A variety of smash burgers, each one-upping the last, plus fish sandwiches and a few sides make up the small (but certainly not simple) menu. Chef Rhasaan's food speaks loudly, and we are here for it. We can't wait to see what he will whip up for Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th. See you there! @chebutterjonez @chefmalikrhasaan

Chef Terry Koval and his wife, Jenn, run a trio of "cozy, convivial restaurants" in Decatur. All three draw inspiration from the local harvest, but they each honor their own special corner of culinary delight. Fawn celebrates Sea and Stone, The Deer & The Dove showcases Forest and Field, and B-Side fills you up with Wit and Whimsy (plus coffee, bagels, pastries, and sammies on the side). Chef Koval has been a true friend to Wholesome Wave Georgia, always answering the call and giving of his many talents. What do you think he will bring to the feast at Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th? We hope to see you there! Link in profile. @terrykoval @fawnwineamaro @thedeerandthedove @b_side_decatur

We have been talking up the participating chefs at Southern Chefs Potluck, but now it's time to start spotlighting the folks behind the bar. First up for our Featured Mixologists are Miles Macquarrie and Brian Le. Miles Macquarrie hardly needs an introduction to the Wholesome Wave Georgia crowd. He has been shaking up the spirits at Southern Chefs Potluck since our 2nd event, and has supported Live Auction lots left and right for years. When he isn't lending his talents to our cause, he is earning James Beard Award nominations and Michelin accolades for his beverage program at Kimball House, developing cocktail menus for Gene's, creating recipes for Tip Top Proper Cocktails, and making waves at Shiny Dimes Oyster Farms. Phew...I'm exhausted just typing this all up. Meet Brian Le, lead bartender at Bar ANA (below El Ponce). Alongside the Bar ANA team, they serve up seasonal snacks, desserts, and cocktails to those in the know. Prior to Bar ANA, they joined Miles behind the bar at Kimball House. They love serving drinks, flexing and taking care of people, and that's just what they will be doing at Southern Chefs Potluck in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for more featured mixologists.... Cheers, y'all! 🍹 @miles_macquarrie @kimballhouse @_genesgenesgenes_ @tiptoppropercocktails @brianvonley @barana.atl

Roberto Montalvo, General Manager and Culinary Director at El Ponce, has led the way to create a neighborhood dining spot that introduces a love and respect for traditional Latin American food and culture melded influenced by American sensibilities without straying from its roots. The typical crowd-pleasers have their place on the menu, but the ingredients at their base are locally grown or raised and are top quality. Experiments with traditional techniques and dishes that honor the families of El Ponce teammates are Easter eggs to find. At it's heart, El Ponce is about community, fellowship, and eating some really great tacos. 🌮🌮 El Ponce has been a huge supporter of Wholesome Wave Georgia for many years, and we can't wait to see what they will bring to Potluck. The mushroom flautas from Southern Sips hold a special places in our hearts (we mean tummies). Be on the look out for an awesome Live Auction Lot from El Ponce. @elponceatl

Thank you to Odum School of Ecology at UGA for hosting a screening of the fantastic documentary, Groundswell Film, in Athens on Thursday, followed by a panel discussion featuring Will Harris, WWG Fresh for Less partner, Jamila Norman, and Laura Turner Seydel. We walked away feeling inspired and grateful for the regenerative agriculture movement and the way it can return the land to biodiversity and cool our planet. 💚💚💚 @ugaecology @groundswell_film @whiteoakpastures @patchworkcityfarms @turnerfdninc

Chef Peter Dale exudes a quiet confidence in conversation, is a serial restaurateur, a talented chef, but first and foremost, he is a leader. In fact, serving as Board Chair of Wholesome Wave Georgia, he is OUR leader. He meets his teams where they are, providing respect, opportunity, and guidance. He puts a final touch of love on everything he is a part of, which can be seen in his current businesses: 5&10, Maepole, and Condor Chocolates. While Chef Dale may be known for his savory dishes, at Southern Chefs Potluck this year, he will represent Condor Chocolates with mouthwatering signature treats on several attendee tables. We can't wait to sneak a morsel of chocolate...or two. @peter_dale @fiveandten @maepole_ @condorchocolates

Chef Demetrius Brown is classically trained, his resume boasts some of the highest regarded restaurants in Atlanta, and his calling is to teach Metro-Atlanta about the global journey of the cuisine of the African diaspora. Chef Brown, with partner Brandon Blanchard, owns Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park, a traditional bistro by day and home to Heritage Supper Club by night. In just a short time, however, Heritage Supper Club will have its very own brick and mortar location in Summerhill, focused on a Celebration of Caribbean and Afro-American Culture, Tradition, and Cuisine. The flavors and techniques Chef Brown brings to the table and the palate tell a story all their own. We can't wait to taste this years potluck offering. Get your tickets at the link in bio! They are going fast! @chefs_state_of_mind @bread_and_butterfly @heritage.atl

While he may be best known for his beloved Charleston restaurant, Two Boroughs Larder (which closed in 2016), Chef Josh Keeler is currently working with The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, leading the opening of Oak Steakhouses all over the Southeast, and will take the culinary helm at St. Albans Sporting Club in Atlanta when it opens it's doors later this year. Oak Steakhouse in Athens opened just this month, and Chef Keeler heralded the relationships he is getting to build with local farmers and producers, saying, “Working with someone who you’re on a first-name basis with is incredibly important. They respect what they do.” Beyond hyper-seasonal cooking, Chef Keeler celebrates the individual ingredients, focusing on the natural flavor of each carrot or each steak on the menu, prepared in the best way possible. We can't wait to see what Chef Keeler has in store for us at Southern Chefs Potluck! It's right around the corner! @theindigoroad @oaksteakhouse @stalbanssportingclub @joshkeeler

Highly lauded for his ability to elevate Southern cuisine while embracing global influences, Wholesome Wave Georgia is excited to welcome back long-time supporter, Chef Duane Nutter of Southern National. Chef Nutter sources the best seasonal and local ingredients, creates playful and elegant dishes with them, and has a lot of fun doing it. We can't wait to see what he'll bring to Southern Chefs Potluck this year. Not only is Chef Nutter joining us, but Southern National will be providing their hospitality team to make sure the event goes smoothly at the tables. Thank you Southern National for everything you do for Wholesome Wave Georgia. 🧡🧡🧡 @chefdnutter @southernnationalatl

While Kamayan, the restaurant Chef Mia Orino runs with her husband, Chef Carlo Gan, comes Michelin recommended, it is anything but pretentious. Serving shared traditional and regional Filipino fare, every service provides a feast fit for family. Guests sit communally and eat by hand. Each dish provides a combination of textures, flavors, and temperatures, contrasting succulent meats with bright fruits and vegetables to delight the palate. We can't wait to load our plates up with Chef Orino's Filipino specialties at Potluck! @kamayan_atl

Chef Brandon Martin has worked in some of the best kitchens in Atlanta prior to landing at the Capital City Club in 2020. Now the Executive Chef at the Downtown location, Chef Martin loves the autonomy and breadth of his work. His favorite part of the job is coming up with experimental themes for the rotating restaurant concept onsite. Chef Martin loves working on events for Wholesome Wave Georgia and is always one of the first to volunteer to help with a special dinner or to run the Back of House kitchen space at Southern Chefs Potluck. He'll be slinging apps at this year's event so make sure to arrive in time for Cocktail Hour to grab one of his tasty treats. @chefbmart89 @capitalcityclubatlanta

Wholesome Wave Georgia is excited to welcome Chef Bruce Logue of BoccaLupo back to Southern Chefs Potluck this year. Chef Logue crafts Italian-American inspired handmade and extruded pasta dishes with seasonality and innovation. Clearly well-versed in global cuisine, Chef Logue's food stays true to its roots while borrowing food traditions and techniques from world cuisines. All this to say that perusing the menu at BoccaLupo makes our mouths water and makes decision making quite difficult. We can't wait to see what Chef Logue has in store for us at Southern Chefs Potluck. Tickets are going fast so get yours today at the link in our bio! @boccalupoatl

Chef Jimbo Irvin serves as Director of Culinary Operations for Unsukay Restaurants, which includes fan favorites such as Local Three, Muss & Turner's, Eleanor's, MTH Pizza, and Roshambo. He has gotten his hands in the dirt raising pigs, rabbits and cultivating veggies at Snapfinger Farm, catered events all over town, and has found a home at the heart of one of Atlanta's essential restaurant groups. Chef Irvin loves to barbecue, so it seems fitting that he will be manning the pit for one of our 2025 Live Auction Lots being fulfilled in a few weeks. We can't wait to see what Chef Irvin brings to the table at Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th! @unsukay @mussandturners @localthree @mthpizza @roshamboatl @thecoolerdoor @jimboirvin

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Chef Jimbo Irvin serves as Director of Culinary Operations for Unsukay Restaurants, which includes fan favorites such as Local Three, Muss & Turner's, Eleanor's, MTH Pizza, and Roshambo.