A Taste of Athens: Eat Well, Do Good

The Annual Benefit for Community Connection

originally published March 14, 2007

It might seem silly for a food columnist to say that A Taste of Athens - the annual fundraising event for Community Connection that brings together about 50 local food and drink vendors for an evening of eating, drinking and fun - isn't all about the food, but the community aspect is just as important. One of the things we all love about Athens is how easy it is to mingle with others who live here, be they renowned chef, community leader or even the mayor, and A Taste of Athens is one event that illustrates that principle, bringing together food, drink, art and people from all over the Athens area to benefit one of its worthiest causes.

Every year brings new additions, not only among the vendors, but also to the event itself. This year marks the second edition of the Red Clay Chef cook-off, when two local chefs face off in a 45-minute battle focused on a surprise ingredient. Homer Whitmire, the man in the kitchen at DePalma's downtown, who has been in the restaurant business in one form or another since he was 13 years old, and Bret Clark, who oversees all three kitchens at the Foundry Park Inn and Spa, will compete this year to impress the judges (this writer and Courtney). The event will be emceed and commented on by Andrea Griffith, the host and creator of “Georgia Life and Style,” and Lamar Thomas, executive chef at East-West Bistro. And this time, the whole thing will be caught on tape; a telecommunications class from the Grady College of Journalism will struggle to make A's as they film and later edit the competition into a one-hour feature DVD, which you can catch later on Channel 15.

There are a few new names among the vendors in 2007, and while rubbing elbows with the rest of Athens is more than a motive for attending, the chance to check out just-opened restaurants all in one venue adds to the reasons to attend. Town 220 Bistro, for example, is brand-new, but it serves its menu of Southern and New Orleans specialties in Madison, GA, which is probably a little farther from you than the Classic Center. If you haven't been to check out the new full menu at Kingpins Bowl and Brew, to sample the goods at Brett's Casual American Café or to munch on tapas at Casa Mia, they're all here under one roof, along with Athens favorites like Weaver D's (whose table always groans with food but empties quickly), Cecilia Villaveces Cakes, The Grill (mini-milkshakes are a perennial offering) and more.

Steak eaters can cruise by the Porterhouse Grill, caffeine freaks can stop at Jittery Joe's and vegetarians can hit up The Grit, though they should be careful elsewhere - remember, if you're committed to not consuming animal proteins, you might want to be sure to ask the vendors before you start chewing. Last year, Farm 255 put out a beautiful spread of cured meats, and the strawberry lemonade at Mama's Boy was a big hit, promising great things before the restaurant even opened. The beer and wine options are also worth your time, and not just to keep filling that souvenir wine glass. The vendors know their stuff at many a booth, and if you say, “give me something interesting,” you might end up with a Grüner Veltliner instead of the usual snooze of a Chardonnay.

While you digest, before you head back in to the maze of tables, elbows and tiny plates, you should take some time to wander through (and bid on) the silent auction section, with art, gift certificates, memorabilia and much more donated by locals. If you're more the light-in-the-wallet gambling type, there are raffle prizes as well, including a year-long membership to the Omni fitness club, and you can benefit the cause in smaller ways by buying that wine glass or a souvenir poster designed by local artist Michael Shetterley, the original of which will be up for auction. At the end of the night, if you're still up for more (and this is Athens; we have a reputation to live up to), the official after-party kicks off at Harry Bissett's downtown at 9:30 p.m. and goes until close.

So, couldn't I just take $40 of my own money and stagger around downtown, ordering appetizers and inexpensive booze, to create my own A Taste of Athens, I hear you wondering? Well, for one thing, you really couldn't manage to get the same variety of tastes, nor the same quality, but the most important thing about the event is the extent to which it benefits Community Connection 211, not only in the money it brings in, but in terms of name recognition. The purpose of Community Connection is simple and unglamorous - to refer people in its 14-county area to needed resources, whether child care, food, clothing, housing, health care, volunteer opportunities, legal help, senior citizen services or other - but its name is apt. What it provides, as a nonprofit organization, is exactly what it specifies, a needed link among members of the community (via a three-digit phone number) in order to help them help each other. That's worth $40 and a great party any day.

Tickets to A Taste of Athens at the Classic Center in downtown Athens on Sunday, Mar. 18 are $40 in advance, $45 at the door, and are available ahead of time at Jittery Joe's, Homeplace Gifts and Toys, Aurum Studios, Marti's at Midday, The Rolling Pin and Borders, as well as via Paypal on the Community Connection website dedicated to the event: www.tasteofathens.com. For more information on the event or its sponsors or to learn more about Community Connection, visit www.communityconnection211.com or call 706-353-2824.

Hillary Brown

WHAT: "A Taste of Athens" WHERE: Classic Center WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 6–9 p.m. HOW MUCH: $40–$45