Time is running short to purchase tickets to the JCT.Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, which takes place this Sunday. At the event, nearly 40 chefs and  a slew of mixologists will craft dishes and signature cocktails to feature tomatoes provided by more than 30 farmers.

Festival-goers will be able to sample each of these dishes and pick up a few new ideas for using summer’s bounty. My favorite dish from last year’s event was the luxuriously buttery olive oil and basil ice cream with sweet tomato compote made by Morelli’s Ice Cream.

Participants will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite tomato creations. Additionally, a team of judges, including Garden & Gun Deputy Editor Dave Mezz, Esquire restaurant features writer John Mariani and actor David Miller, who played Mason Dixon in the original “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” movie, will name the event’s best dish, best beverage and best table decorations.

During the event, The Spazmatics and local chef band Five Bone Rack will provide live entertainment.

A total of 1400 tickets will be sold at a cost $70 and will benefit Georgia Organics. The event raised almost $40,000 for the organization last year.

Participating chefs include:

• Jay Swift, 4th & Swift
• David Larkworthy, 5 Seasons Brewing Company
• Tyler Williams, Abattoir
• Gerry Klaskala, Aria
• Andy Carson and Carla Tomasko, Bacchanalia (Won “Best Tasting Dish” in 2011)
• Shaun Doty, Bantam & Biddy
• Todd Ginsberg, Bocado
• Carvel Grant Gould, Canoe
• Tandy Wilson, City House (Nashville, TN)
• Ryan Smith, Empire State South
• Whitney Otawka, Farm 255
• Terry Koval, Farm Burger
• Harper McClure, The Federalist (Washington D.C.)
• Cooper Miller, The Feed Store
• Christopher Schmidt, Floataway Café
• Ford Fry, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist
• Brent Banda, La Tavola Trattoria
• Eric Ottensmeyer, Leon’s Full Service
• Zeb Stevenson, Livingston Restaurant + Bar
• Chris Hall, Local Three
• Steven Satterfield, Miller Union
• Donald Sargent, Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream (Won a “Special Mention” in 2011)
• Drew Belline, No. 246
• Adam Evans, The Optimist and Oyster Bar at The Optimist
• Andrew Smith, Ormsby’s
• Nick Rutherford and Molly Gunn, The Porter
• Hector Santiago, Pura Vida (Won “Best Presentation” in 2011)
• Kevin Rathbun, Rathbun’s, Kevin Rathbun Steak and Krog Bar
• Linton Hopkins, Restaurant Eugene and Holeman & Finch Public House (Won “Best Booth” in 2011)
• Ron Eyester, Rosebud and The Family Dog
• Scott Serpas, Serpas True Food
• Drew Van Leuvan, Seven Lamps
• Jessica Hanners, Souper Jenny
• Christopher Neff, Sprig
• Eddie Hernandez, Taqueria del Sol (Won “People’s Choice for Best Tasting Dish” in 2011)
• Chris Marconi, West Egg Café
• E.J. Hodgkinson, Woodfire Grill

Participating mixologists include:

• Kevin Bragg, 4th& Swift
• Ryan McLaughlin, Abattoir
• Clay Webb, Bacchanalia
• Kellie Thorn, Empire State South
• Jarina Naone, Floataway Café
• Jerry Slater and Callie Schlosser, H. Harper Station
• Andy Minchow, Holeman & Finch Public House
• Lara Creasy, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist
• Miles Macquarrie, Leon’s Full Service (Won “Best Tasting Cocktail” in 2011)
• Stuart White, Miller Union
• Paul Calvert, Pura Vida (Won “People’s Choice for Best Tasting Cocktail” in 2011)
• Brian Stanger, Woodfire Grill

1-5 p.m. July 22. JCT. Kitchen & Bar, 1198 Howell Mill Road. Purchase tickets online.

After the festival inspires you to whip up a tomato dish of your own, find tomato-based recipes here.

–by Jenny Turknett, Food and More blog