Head to Atlanta on May 23 for a special dinner at Empire State South with Chef Brandon Baltzley, author of the new book Nine Lives: A Chef’s Journey from Chaos to Control.

Baltzley’s memoir tells his story of a love for cooking that began at age nine, his impressive success at a young age, and of his constant battle with destructive addiction.

This is a story that hits close to home for many of those who live and work in food culture - whether it be because of a friend we have known, a co-worker we have lost, or maybe just through similar stories we have heard far too many times.

Fortunately, Baltzley’s story has a happy ending, and our friends at Empire State couldn’t be more excited to team up with him for an evening. Baltzley and ESS Executive Chef Ryan Smith will be preparing a 6-course dinner, with optional wine pairings by Steve Grubbs or non-alcoholic pairings by Kellie Thorn.

Call for reservations at 404-541-1105 or email at empirestatesouth@gmail.com. This is definitely an event not to be missed.

THIS SATURDAY 5/11: A PLACE AT THE TABLE SCREENING & RECEPTION

Athens Farmers Market presents this special benefit screening of the acclaimed documentary, A Place At The Table, with reception catered by Five and Ten, The National and Farm 255, and discussion with panelists including: Hugh Acheson, Spencer Frye, Paula Farmer and Erin Barger, moderated by André Joseph Gallant.

6:00pm - Reception
7:30pm - Screening, followed by Panel
Admission: $20 - to benefit the Farmers Market Double Snap Program.

50 million people in the U.S.-one in four children-don’t know where their next meal is coming from, despite our having the means to provide nutritious, affordable food for all Americans. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine this issue through the lens of three people who are struggling with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who often has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school; and Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford.

Their stories are interwoven with insights from experts including sociologist Janet Poppendieck, author Raj Patel and nutrition policy leader Marion Nestle; ordinary citizens like Pastor Bob Wilson and teachers Leslie Nichols and Odessa Cherry; and activists such as Witness to Hunger’s Mariana Chilton, Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio and Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges.

Ultimately, A PLACE AT THE TABLE shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation, and that it could be solved once and for all, if the American public decides-as they have in the past-that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all.

On Tuesday, April 30, Cine and AIDS Athens are joining with The National to bring you How To Survive A Plague, the stunning story of how a group of young people, faced with their own mortality, helped turn AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition.

6pm Prix Fixe Dinner at The National
8pm Screening of How to Survive A Plague

To join us to for this special Dinner and a Movie night, benefitting AIDS Athens, call 706-549-3540 to reserve a table for the 6pm seating.
Movie Tickets: $10 // Dinner and a Movie $30

Twilight Weekend is here!

Take the time to join us for good food, good people, good music, all to benefit a good cause at the 3rd Annual Good Food Block Party, sponsored by Farm 255. The event is free to enter and party. Food will be sold via tickets. You will purchase as many $1 tickets as you’d like, and then “pay” the chefs with your tickets. Dishes will range in price, but all will be under $10. Plus, spinning his 45’s all afternoon will be none other than DJ Mahogany!

Saturday, April 27
1-4pm
at Farm 255

All proceeds go to Wholesome Wave Georgia and the Athens Farmers Market SNAP doubling program.

On the menu…

Whitney Otawka - Farm 255
Brown Sugar Doughnuts w/ malted vanilla cream
Lil Fried Chicken Sandwich, kimchi slaw

Kyle Jacovino - Five & Ten
pate, pickles, and popcorn

Matt Palmerlee - The Branded Butcher

Peter Dale - The National
kale and beet ceaser salad

Aaron Phillips - The Last Resort
Local lettuce salad with cheeses and grilled bread

Josh Aaron - The Savory Spoon
Pork Confit on brioche with local baby arugula and house apricot ale mustard

Chris Rountree - Heirloom Cafe
chilled carrot soup with herbed ricotta & GA olive oil

Emmanuel Stone - Harry’s Pig Shop
Pulled Pork Sliders

3 Porch Farm - Strawberry Honeypops, Chai Honeypops

Arizona Stronghold Wine Dinner
at The National
Wednesday, May 1
6:30 pm
$65 per guest

On the menu…

1.

Tazi 2011

steelhead trout tartare, cucumbers, radishes, basil, lemongrass

2.

Dala Chardonnay 2010

roasted monkfish, “black rice”, snow peas, saffron

3.

Nachise 2010 Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre

Braised heirloom black beans with pulled lamb barbeque, grilled peppers, cotija cheese

4.

Mangus 2011 Sangiovese-Cab-Merlot

grilled Certified Angus Beef flatiron steak, mushroom fideos, Vidalia, tomato powder

5.

local strawberry gazpacho with strawberry ice cream, sponge cake croutons, mint