Join Atlanta's Top Chefs in HIstoric Grant Park This Summer

by Carrie Whitney

Once again this summer, historic Grant Park welcomes many of the city's most talented chefs to the refreshing outdoor tasting experience Corks & Forks: A Fine Food and Wine Event.  At Corks & Forks, chefs from top Atlanta restaurants will offer tastes of some of their favorite summertime recipes, which will be paired with an international selection of wines and beers.  Attendees can also enjoy cooking demonstrations and educational wine classes throughout the event.

Restaurants and chefs participating in the 2010 Corks & Forks include:

Rathbun's - Kevin Rathbun and Kirk Parks

Empire State South - Hugh Acheson

Canoe - Carvel Grant Gould

Dogwood - Shane Touhy

Legal Sea Foods - Chris Lee

Murphy's - Tom Harvey

One Midtown Kitchen - Drew Van Leuvan

Peasant Bistro - Michael Patria

Six Feet Under - Nancy Mitchell

TWO Urban Licks - Cameron Thompson

TAP - Adrian Villarreal

Each day of Corks & Forks will feature 10 to 12 fantastic restaurants.  A full listing can be found at www.summershade.org.

Corks & Forks takes place during the Summer Shade Festival, held each year in Atlanta's oldest public park.  Summer Shade welcomes attendees to a full weekend of fun.  In 2010, the Eighth Annual Summer Shade Festival will include a variety of live music performances, a juried Artist Show and Market and delicious food from local restaurants.  The Family Fun Zone is a family favorite with storytellers, jugglers, sing-a-longs and kid sized craft projects.  The Summer Shade Festival is a free event.

Corks & Forks - Saturday, August 28: 1-5 p.m. and Sunday, August 29: 1-5 p.m.  One day tickets $35 in advance/$45 at door.  Purchase advance tickets at www.summershade.org.

Summer Shade - Saturday, August 28: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, August 29: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Adams Realtors 5K Run for the Park - Saturday, August 28: Registration at 7 a.m., Race begins at 8 a.m.

It all happens in Historic Grant Park, 625 Park Avenue, SE Atlanta 30312 (intersection of Park Avenue and Berne Street)

www.summershade.org      404-521-0938

The Summer Shade Festival is organized by the Grant Park Conservancy.  Saturday morning welcomes the Adams Realtors 5K Run for the Park. Grant Park - the city's oldest public park - was initially established by a gift of 100 acres from the estate of railroad magnate Lemuel Pratt Grant in 1883.  Grant Park was once referred to as a resort area due to its natural flowing springs, carriage trails, shaded walking paths and big beautiful trees.  Today, Grant Park welcomes more than 2 million visitors each year who still enjoy it as a place of respite in a now busy city.

The Grant Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation, restoration and maintenance of historic L.P. Grant Park.  www.gpconservancy.org

The Summer Shade Festival