HOST SHAWN OSBEY BRINGS ATLANTA ROOTS TO THE SOUTHERN SPREAD

Shawn Osbey’s journey hasn’t been a straight line.  

Before becoming an acclaimed chef, and before making the leap to attend culinary school, Osbey, 46, started his career clad in a suit and tie as a banker.  

After spending years in an office, he decided to listen to his gut and follow his passion. Since changing paths he has traveled all over the world to cook in new kitchens, gaining the title of the “Traveling Chef,” and helping him land a spot on season 57 of Chopped on the Food Network.  

Whether he’s on television, leading a cooking class, mentoring young chefs, or privately cooking for a family in their home, chef Osbey always wants people to leave feeling inspired, confident, and connected through food.  

He believes food is the fastest way to bring people together and that the best memories can be made around the dinner table.  

This year, he’s hosting The Southern Spread: Saturday Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods on Saturday, September 12, 2026, where he’s excited to bring his hospitality and warmth to the Home Depot Backyard.

We caught up with chef Osbey to ask him a few questions about Atlanta and its premier food and wine festival.

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Q: What do you think makes Atlanta’s culinary scene so special?

A: Atlanta has heart. What I love most is that this city embraces everybody. We celebrate Southern food, but we’re also influenced by cultures from all over the world. You can grab an incredible plate of barbecue for lunch, authentic international cuisine for dinner, and end the night at one of the country’s best restaurants.

The other thing I love is how supportive the chef community is. We genuinely celebrate each other’s wins, and that’s something special.

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Q: Have you attended Atlanta Food & Wine Festival before? If so, what is your favorite memory from AFWF?

I have, and honestly, my favorite part has never been just one dish or one event. It’s watching thousands of people come together because they simply love food. Seeing chefs reconnect, meeting new people, discovering local products, and watching guests get excited after tasting something they’ve never had before—that energy is contagious. It’s one of those weekends that reminds you why you fell in love with this industry.

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Q: What are you most excited about for this year’s Atlanta Food & Wine Festival?

A: I’m excited to be back home doing what I love. I’ve had the opportunity to cook all over the country, but Atlanta is home. There’s something different about serving your own community. I’m looking forward to meeting people, sharing great food, catching up with fellow chefs, and hopefully introducing someone to a new favorite bite.

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Q: What does serving as Host Chef for The Southern Spread Tasting Tents event mean to you?

A: It means a lot. I’ve worked incredibly hard to build my career, from restaurants and private dinners to television and traveling around the world, and opportunities like this remind me why I stayed the course.

To represent Atlanta as a Host Chef at one of the South’s premier food festivals is an honor. I don’t take it lightly. I want everyone who walks through those tents to leave feeling welcomed, inspired, and well-fed. That’s what Southern hospitality is all about.

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GET TICKETS to meet chef Shawn Obsey at Saturday’s Tasting Tents presented by Goya!

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