Sunday Supper South, one of this fall's food events

Time to break out the calendar. Saturday marks the official arrival of fall and with it comes a number of food-centric events. Here’s a sampling of those. Which will you attend?

SEPT. 23:

Backyard Apple Festival at No. 246

This weekend No. 246, along with Leon’s Full Service and Brick Store Pub, will host an apple-themed celebration. The menu will include items like whole roasted pig, apple slaw, apple hot dogs, caramel apples, apple-powdered kettle corn and more. Wash it all down with Lara Creasy’s cider punch containing Italian brandy and vermouth di Torino and other apple-based cocktails.

During the event, of-age guests can sample six cider selections, chat with Georgia farmers about apple varieties and bob for apples. Face painting and balloon animals will be available for children.

2-7 p.m. Sept. 23. Reservations recommended: 678-399-8246. $35 adults, $10 children 12 and under.

SEPT. 29:

Miller Lite chili cook-off contest

Stone Mountain Park will play host to the Miller Lite’s annual chili cook-off where 300 teams from across the country will compete for titles of best chili, Brunswick stew and cornbread. Sample the goods while listening to a lineup of live music. 100% of the proceeds benefit Camp Twin Lakes for kids with serious illnesses and disabilities.

10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tickets sold on-site only.$10 adults, 12 and under are free. Parking $10.

SEPT. 30:

Field of Greens

Farm-to-table chefs in Atlanta and Athens are gearing up to participate in the Field of Greens festival later this month. In the chef’s tent, you’ll find the likes of Robert Phalen, Billy Allin, Asha Gomez, Whitney Otawka, Suzanne Vizethann, Todd Ginsberg and many more.

The festival also includes a farmers market where you can talk with farmers and learn simple recipes, local music, craft demonstrations and an interactive Kid’s Village.

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Whippoorwill Hollow Farm, Walnut Grove. $20 advance tickets, $25 at the gate, kids 12 and under are free.

Oct. 5-7

Taste of Atlanta

In its 11th year, Taste of Atlanta, showcasing food, wine, beer and cocktails, will take place in Midtown’s Tech Square. Over 80 restaurants including The Optimist, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Bhojanic, and Little Alley Steak will provide tastes for festival-goers with food coupons ($1 each). Chefs will lead demonstrations and participate in competitions like the “Chopped”-style challenge.

$25 advance tickets, $75 advance VIP tickets. See website for full schedule and ticket options.

OCT 9:

Woodfire Grill hosts book release party for Gillespie

Although Woodfire Grill recently announced that Gillespie will leave the restaurant by year’s end to open one of his own, it will host a book release party for him on Oct. 9. Gillespie’s cookbook, “Fire in My Belly,” offers 120 recipes for the home cook and is the first of a two-book deal.

The party at Woodfire Grill will include tastings of hors d’oeuvres from the book like smoked trout puffs, fried green tomatoes and squash tarts. The $75 advance ticket includes a copy of the cookbook, which can be autographed during the event. Advance tickets will be sold online until Oct. 4. Tickets will also be for sale at the door for a cost of $90.

6-10 p.m. 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta. 404-347-9055.

OCT. 28

Sunday Supper South

Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison, owners of Bacchanalia, will host this annual Southern family-style dinner next month to raise money for the James Beard Foundation’s scholarship program. Guests will dine on long communal tables along the railroad tracks at the Westside Provisions District.

Quatrano and Harrison along with their team of chefs from each of their restaurants will welcome chefs from across the Southeast to participate in the dinner.

Participating chefs include:

• Billy Allin (Cakes & Ale)
• Jeremiah Bacon (the Macintosh and Oak Steakhouse, Charleston, SC)
• Vishwesh Bhatt (Snackbar, Oxford, MS)
• Richard Blais (The Spence)
• Kathleen Blake (The Rusty Spoon, Orlando, FL)
• Sean Brock (McCrady’s and Husk, Charleston, SC)
• Tyler Brown (Capitol Grille at the Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, TN)
• Ashley Christensen (Poole’s Diner, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, Raleigh, NC)
• Scott Crawford (Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary, NC)
• John Currence (Boure, City Grocery, Oxford, MS)
• Craig Deihl (Blossom, Magnolia and Cypress, Charleston, SC)
• Justin Devillier (La Petite Grocery, New Orleans, LA)
• Kelly English (Restaurant Iris, Memphis, TN)
• Chris Hastings (Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, AL)
• Linton Hopkins (Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House)
• Vivian Howard (Chef & the Farmer, Kinston, NC)
• Mike Lata (FIG, Charleston, SC)
• Edward Lee (610 Magnolia, Louisville, KY)
• Daniel Lindley (St. John’s Restaurant, Chattanooga, TN)
• Brandon McGlamery (LUMA on Park and Prato, Winter Park, FL)
• Steven Satterfield (Miller Union)
• Ryan Smith (Empire State South)
• Wesley True (True Midtown Kitchen, Mobile, AL)
• Ken Vedrinski (Trattoria Lucca, Charleston, SC)

5:30 p.m. cocktail reception, 7 p.m. dinner Oct. 28. 1170 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-365-0410. $225 (James Beard Foundation members) $250 (non-members).

–by Jenny Turknett, Food and More blog