HERE’S WHY LOCALS LOVE ATTENDING ATLANTA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY INVESCO QQQ

At Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ, it's all about the people. After 16 incredible years, we’re turning the spotlight to our thoughtful attendees to hear their favorite memories from the festival over the years.

Susan Wilson

“My favorite memory from the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival goes back to the year I volunteered as a room attendant for a class called Bubbles and Fried Foods. I had already been volunteering with AFWF since its debut at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in 2011, but this particular class changed the way I thought about wine.

“The chefs demonstrated how different sparkling wines could elevate even the simplest fried dishes. After the session ended, I had the chance to taste several of the wines featured in the class. One Lambrusco from Emilia‑Romagna stopped me in my tracks. It was vibrant, refreshing, and unlike anything I had tasted before. I was so captivated that I reached out to the winemaker after the festival.

“To my surprise, she invited me to visit her vineyard. As luck would have it, my husband and I were already planning a trip to the region. We arranged a visit, and what began as a volunteer shift in Atlanta turned into an unforgettable experience in Italy. We were welcomed into the winery, treated to a spectacular tasting, and given a behind‑the‑scenes look at how the wines were made. I realized how a single moment at AFWF had opened a door to a much larger world of food and culture.

“That memory is still my favorite because it captures what AFWF has always meant to me: discovery, connection, and the joy of learning something new. It’s the reason I continued volunteering, and ultimately why I began studying wine more seriously in the years that followed. Since then, I have earned several wine certifications, traveled internationally, and attended numerous wine trade events.

“I still volunteer with AFWF whenever my schedule allows. I look forward to seeing how the festival continues to grow and evolve in the years ahead.”

Felicia Jordan

“AFWF 2025 will forever hold a special place in my heart. What started as a simple evening out with my sister turned into one of the most unforgettable experiences of our lives. It was our very first time attending a food festival as guests, and we had no idea just how much it would impact us.

“The energy, the food, the people, and the opportunity to share what we love with so many others was amazing. We laughed until our stomachs hurt and created memories that we'll be talking about for years.

“One of the most unexpected gifts from the weekend was meeting a group of seven chefs from Europe who had traveled all the way to Atlanta for a birthday party weekend and to attend the festival. What began as casual conversations between strangers quickly turned into genuine friendships. Despite living on different continents, we've stayed connected long after the festival ended, proving that some of the best relationships happen when you least expect them.

“AFWF 2025 reminded me that food is so much more than what's on a plate. It brings people together, creates community, and builds connections that can last a lifetime.

“I'm grateful I got to experience it all with my sister by my side. From the early mornings to the late-night laughs, every moment was special. We arrived excited for a food festival and left with memories, stories, and friendships we'll never forget. Some experiences stay with you forever. AFWF 2025 is one of them.”

Joy McKenzie

“My favorite AFWF memory is attending post-fresh ortho surgery with my knee scooter. I recently had surgery and I had already bought my tickets for the festival prior, and I really didn’t want to miss it. I hopped down my three flights of apartments stairs with my scooter in tow. I made it to Home Depot backyard, but I couldn’t find close parking, so I parked far and had to scoot up hill to get to the entrance. The grass and gravel of the event was hard to navigate with the scooter, but I had the best time!!! Good food, drinks and the pain of my knee scooter but it was so worth the pain and hassle. I would love to attend again this year now that I can enjoy it without surgery limitations.”

Destiny Rivera

“Before my boyfriend and I began dating, this event was ALWAYS something his group would come together to do. Once we started dating and being new to the group, I was SO nervous to meet everyone and hoped they would like me.

“Atlanta Food & Wine Fest was my first time meeting everyone and oh my gosh, I am incredibly thankful. The vibe of the place made it so easy for me to be myself more instead of stressing and overthinking. The group welcomed me and wanted to show me around to all their favorite spots at AFWF.  

“It also gave me a chance to take photos, create memories, and now I’m part of the yearly group tradition. This will be my third year going and maybe fourth or fifth year for the group. One of our friends has a new girlfriend and I’m excited for her to join us this year and hopefully she feels comfortable like I did thanks for AFWF making it a stress-free, carefree night!”

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Congratulations to one lucky testimonial writer for winning our 2026 Testimonials giveaway! They have been selected as the winner of two VIP passes to this year’s Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ and contacted by our team. We can’t wait to see you there!