Having a Halloween party this year? Check out these creepy drinks, sure to get your guests in the Halloween spirit. Recipes courtesy of Skyy Vodka.

Jack-O-Lantern

2 oz. Citrus Vodka
1 oz. Mango Nectar or Juice
0.5 oz. Orange Juice
0.5 oz. Fresh Sour*

Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake
vigorously and pour into a goblet glass and garnish with a slice of orange
and a mint leaf laid flat on top.
*Combine 0.25 oz fresh lime juice and 0.75 oz simple syrup.

Vampire’s Elixir

1.5 oz. Raspberry Vodka
.75 oz. White Chocolate Liqueur
1 oz. Half and Half
Strawberry Syrup

Dress strawberry syrup on the inside and rim of a chilled martini glass.
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and
strain into martini glass. Garnish with vampire teeth.

Black Widow

1.5 oz. Raspberry Vodka
0.5 oz. Triple Sec
2 oz. Pomegranate Juice
Squeeze of Fresh Lemon Juice
Raspberry Syrup

Draw a spider web on the inside of a chilled martini glass with raspberry
syrup. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake
vigorously and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with plastic
spider.

Red Zombie

1.5 oz. Vodka
3 oz. Tomato Juice
0.5 tsp. Finely Grated Horseradish
1 tsp. Barbeque Sauce
3 Dashes Worcestershire Sauce
3 Dashes Tabasco Sauce
0.5 tsp. Finely Chopped Chipotle en Adobo
Pinch of Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Generous Squeeze of Lemon Juice
Pinch of Celery Seeds
1 Celery Stick
2 Large Green Olives
2 Lychee Fruits

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously
and strain into martini glass. Garnish with green eye balls, laid across
the rim of the glass*.
*Cut the end of a stalk of celery so it measures 5-6 inches long and split
the stick in half lengthwise. Slide the green olives into two lychee fruits
to make eye balls and push the thin celery stick through both as garnish.

Wicked Witch Apple Punch

1 750 ml bottle SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
1 750 ml bottle Sparkling Apple Cider
1 64 oz. bottle Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1 Liter Ginger Ale
2 cups Pineapple Juice
Red Apple Slices

Combine all ingredients in a large black witch’s cauldron with ice and
stir. Garnish with large slices of red apple floating on top and dry ice.

Thursday, June 30th, beginning at 4pm at the East Atlanta Village Farmers, there will be games, prizes lots of different peach foods for sale and a Peach Cocktail Mixoff beginning at 6pm. Some of Atlanta’s most celebrated barkeeps and mixologists will compete at the Midway Pub to see who can mix-up the best peach cocktail as decided by a team of local celebrity judges. Market shoppers can stay for dinner. Farm Burger will be on site grilling burgers topped with peach compote and local goat cheese. All burger sales to benefit the EAV Farmers Market. Market Chef Seth Freedman will be demonstrating how to make peach ketchup and Colonel Jerry Slater of H. Harper Station, will show market attendees a few tricks for making delicious peach cocktails at home.
East Atlanta Farmers Market

www.grantparkmarket.org
Sunday, July 3rd, beginning at 9:30 am at the Grant Park Farmers Market. Chef Terry Koval of Farm Burger will be demonstrating a Peach Chutney Recipe, as well as some perfect BBQ sides. At noon, home chefs and professional cooks will compete in a Peach Cobbler Contest. Guests can bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic in the park. BBQ pork sliders will be for sale. APS Parents’ Farm to School Coalition will be on site conducting children’s’ activities, including a parade and quill pen making exercise. All proceeds will benefit the Grant Park Farmers Market.
Grant Park Farmers Market

Follow Slow Food Atlanta, The East Atlanta Village Farmers Market and The Grant Park Farmers Market
Facebook: Slow.Food.Atlanta, EAVFarmersMarket, grantparkfarmersmarket
Twitter: @slowfoodATL, @EAVFM, @GrantPrkFrmMrkt
www.slowfoodatlanta.org
www.farmeav.com
www.grantparkmarket.org

Earlier this year, I was approached by a publishing company, Globe Pequot Press, and asked if I was interested in writing a Food Guide book for Atlanta. I practically jumped out of my skin, I was so excited that they picked me. My publisher just sent me the cover of the book (pictured above) and I wanted to share it with you.

I’ve had so much fun over the last several months visiting restaurants around Atlanta and talking to staff and chefs. It has been a wonderful experience writing the book and I definitely have a new appreciation and respect for both authors and editors.

As you are reading this, I’m down in Florida for a short break and celebrating finishing the book!

Cheers!

Ecco
WHAT: Basque in the South at Ecco
WHERE: 40 7th Street NE Atlanta, GA 30306
WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10:00 pm
COST: Individual price – $150/person | Package Price – Connoisseur
$50/person, VIP $75/person, 3-Day $100/person (ALL PRICING INCLUDES TAXES & GRATUITY)

Sit down at a Basque-inspired feast of hardy dishes and wines from the lusty
regions of France and Spain. Join host Chef Micah Willix and guest Chef
Adolfo Garcia at the table for this family-style bacchanal of unforgettable
flavors. Like any Basque repast, guests won’t be seated until after 10 pm!
This unique repast is part of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, a
weekend-long luxury festival dedicated to showcasing the best in Southern
food and beverage traditions. For more information, visit
www.ATLFoodandWineFestival.com.

* * *

JCT Kitchen
WHAT: Pig Out Texas Style at JCT Kitchen
WHERE: 1198 Howell Mill Rd Atlanta, GA 30318
WHEN: Friday, May 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm
COST: Individual price – $85/person | Package Price – Connoisseur
$50/person
(ALL PRICING INCLUDES TAXES & GRATUITY)

Chef’s Tim Love and Ford Fry, Texan natives who know all about big flavors
and fun, tackle the pig in this ultimate feast where good food, great drinks
– mixed by the King Cocktail himself, Dale DeGroff – and Southern music
come together to create the ultimate all-in-one food experience. This event
is part of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, a weekend-long luxury festival
dedicated to showcasing the best in Southern food and beverage traditions.
For more information, visit www.ATLFoodandWineFestival.com.

* * *

Late Night Street Carts

WHEN: Friday, May 20, and Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10:00 pm
COST: $65

Southern street carts, guest chefs, craft beer, libations and good music
equals late night fun like you’ve never known. Join guest chef’s Alberto
Cabrera, Jeremy Fox, Katsuya Fukushima, Eli Kirshtein, Dan Latham, Whitney
Otawka, Plinio Sandalio and Adam Sobel as they team up with top street cart
vendors to create fabulous late night snacks. Late Night Street Carts is a
part of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, a weekend-long luxury festival
dedicated to showcasing the best in Southern food and beverage traditions.
For more information, visit www.ATLFoodandWineFestival.com.

* * *

Miller Union
WHAT: Southern Supper at Miller Union
WHERE: 999 Brady Avenue Northwest Atlanta, GA 30318
WHEN: Friday, May 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm
COST: Individual price – $150/person | Package Price – Connoisseur
$50/person, VIP $75/person, 3-Day $100/person (ALL PRICING INCLUDES TAXES & GRATUITY)

Made with care, fresh, local ingredients and techniques passed down through
the generations, Southern suppers are a staple of our region’s culture.
Break bread with Chef’s Steven Satterfield and Matt & Ted Lee, three
award-winning Southern boys, as they share their favorite Southern supper
creations. Miller Union’s Southern Supper is a part of the Atlanta Food &
Wine Festival, a weekend-long luxury festival dedicated to showcasing the
best in Southern food and beverage traditions. For more information, visit
www.ATLFoodandWineFestival.com.

Truth be told, my expectations were low. I hadn’t heard about the Marietta Greek festival as very little advertising was done. And I just stumbled upon it driving around. From what I could see from the outside, there wasn’t much going on at the Marietta Greek Festival. But, I thought that it was a nice day to be outside walking around so, I would check it out.

Once inside, I couldn’t help getting some of their yummy Greek morsels. It was a lot of food and very reasonably priced. The church tour was interesting – not boring at all as I suspected it might be. I loved the dancers and if nothing else was astounded by the Greek Colesseum they have on the grounds.

The Food
The food was pretty tasty at the Marietta Greek Festival last year. I sampled the chicken and pork kabobs. The chicken was white meat and marinated in olive oil and other spices which I enjoyed pretty well. But the kabobs were way better, they had much more flavor and were a bigger hit than the lamb at the festival. All the dishes come with rice and spanakopita (pastry stuffed with cheese and spinach).

Save room for dessert as there are so many goodies at the Marietta Greek Festival to sample. I tried to Baklava, which was excellent, but there are lots of other tasty treats like special cookies and pastries to enjoy as well. They have greek wine, but it was not pleasing in any way. I would skip that and just enjoy a soft drink.

The Entertainment

Greek Dancers

I was amazed at the entertainment. I really wasn’t expecting much, but it was actually quite enjoyable. In addition to Greek bands which perform, there are also dancers. They vary in age from quite young at the kindergarten level to young adults. Don’t worry about seating as there is actually a Greek colosseum in the ground of the church that allows for great views of the dancers. This in itself is pretty spectacular to see.

Church Tours

Marietta Greek Orthodox Church

The Church Tours of the Orthodox church take place during all three days of the festival. I took the tour last year and was really glad I did (and not only because it got me out of the heat for a while). A guided instructor takes small groups of no more than about 20 people through the church and gives them a brief history and some information about the Greek Orthodox Church.

It is great to get inside and to see their beautiful, rich designs and learn about their history at the same time. It was intriguing and at only 20 – 30 minutes short enough to prevent me from getting bored as I tend to do quite easily with these things.

Cooking Demonstrations
Located in the Agora Marketplace West lobby
Various times Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Times posted in the lobby.

Admission is $3.00.

May 13, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
May 14, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
May 15, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Holy Transfiguration
Greek Orthodox Church
3431 Trickum Road
Marietta, Georgia 30066
770.924.8080

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