A Taste of Athens

Now in its 19th year, the annual event that serves as Community Connection’s big fundraiser is continually evolving to attract new people in the door. Last year, A Taste of Athens introduced a 10K (which is a Peachtree qualifier), a 1-mile family fun run and online voting for audience choice ($1 per vote). A raffle features packages of two tickets, three bottles of wine, three hotel stays downtown and three gift certificates to local restaurants. Social media is now an important component of promotion, and if you participate in A Taste of Athens’ efforts on Facebook or Twitter, you have a chance to win either tickets or raffle entries.

The center of the event, though, isn’t the race or the voting or even the silent auction, but the eat-a-thon the whole thing revolves around from 5–8 p.m. on Sunday. New participants this year include Heirloom Cafe, Kumquat Mae, Sakura Steak House, Silver Lining Cupcake Company, Stuffed Burger and The Local Jam, which join perennial favorites Five & Ten, The Hilltop Grille, Last Resort Grill and the Hoyt House. The latter won “best food” last year, and tiny Gymnopedie, which returns, snagged the audience choice. From casual (Barberitos, Locos, Keba) to date-night (La Dolce Vita, Etienne Brasserie, East West), both vegetarians and carnivores will find plenty to consume. All in all, over 50 local restaurants and beverage vendors will participate. And with the beverage vendors come wine and beer merchants, the better to wet your whistle, from Terrapin to Cape Classics Fine South African, and Jittery Joe’s is on hand if you need a boost.

Tickets are $45 general admission, $75 VIP admission (get in at 4:30, hang out in the VIP garden, go home with a glass and a plate), $65 if you do both the event and the 10K, and $25 for just the race. You can buy them online at www.communityconnection211.org/taste or at Aurum Studios or any Jittery Joe’s in Athens.