Quick Bites

volunteers and all of that,” Plumb said.

Participating chefs range from James Beard nominees, like Parnass Savang of Talat Market, to those who’ve never cooked for 50+ people, like Christian Lopez, a middle school teacher who does pop-ups on the side (@humocuisine, June 5 at O4W market and June 25 at Three Taverns in Decatur).

“I was super excited to give a good representation of what Colombians eat – street food [empanadas and buñuelos] -

because we grew up humble”, Lopez said. I had my grandma come help me and everyone was able to meet her.” Veteran Chow Club chefs Wellington Onyenwe and Marlena Joseph also volunteered alongside Lopez.

And Lopez returned the favor to Chef Tyrus last month. The experience extends well beyond the food.

“My favorite was the Syrian dinner we hosted during the Muslim travel ban,” Solomon said. “We met a mother and son Syrian refugees, who feared not being accepted. Especially the son. He was protective of his family and didn’t know how he fit in this new world. We asked them to do Chow Club. They were very happy but nervous. The tickets sold out fast. The day of the dinner there was much joy to connect with them and make them feel welcome. The son – you know – cried. He was very touched and felt appreciated and welcome. We have the best members, they are all about supporting community.”

Membership is free and acquired by joining the mailing list or purchasing a ticket to a dinner. Fittingly, members receive a passport to collect a stamp per cuisine. After receiving five stamps, they become Ambassadors and get first crack at tickets. At the dinner, members find fellowship when seated alongside new friends from different backgrounds and zip codes. “One of our firsttime guests pulled me aside and said, ‘Yes the food is amazing, but we were just having the best conversation’,” Plumb shared. “We don’t do any conversation prompts – we’ve never had too.” Volunteering is another way to experience Chow Club.

“Volunteers come an hour early to help set up, work as servers and help out in the kitchen,” Plumb said. “You really get to know the chef, see behind the scenes and eat!”

Chow Club is also looking for a home base with a big meeting room, full kitchen and parking.

Experience it for yourself. “It takes you to a street in Colombia or to Auntie’s house in Nigeria. It takes you global within Atlanta.” Lopez said.

Sign up at chowclubatlanta.com for exclusive invitations to monthly pop-up dinners, email chowclubatl@gmail.com to volunteer. ▼The Peachtree Center Green Market, 225 Peachtree St., has reopened and will continue every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through September. Featuring fresh produce, handmade goods and delicious fare, attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy live music, yard games, and weekly giveaways. More details at peachtreecenter.com.

Farm Burger has announced that Chef Drew Van Leuvan has joined the grass-fed burger chain as its culinary director. A long-time veteran of the Atlanta restaurant scene, Van Leuvan led Buckhead’s Seven Lamps and was most recently, executive chef at Ecco Buckhead.

◄Fresh MARTA Markets have reopened at rail stations, including an expansion of the program to Doraville. The markets are open from 3-7 p.m. Open Tuesdays: West End; open Wednesdays: H.E. Holmes and Bankhead; open Thursdays: College Park; open Fridays: Five Points and Doraville. A market will open at Kensington this summer. Find out more at itsmarta.com/marta-market.

Bitter Southerner has been nominated for three 2022 James Beard Media Awards, including “The Creature Comfort of Aunt Jemima” by Adia Victoria in the Personal Essay, Long Form category; “Raising Caine” by Shane Mitchell for Feature Reporting; and Food Coverage in a General Interest Publication (along with the Washington Post and The New Yorker).

Canadian-based coffee and bakery company Tim Hortons will open 15 stores in Atlanta and Columbus, GA over the next five years. Atlanta residents and restaurant operators Abid Khutliwala and Saleem Lakhani will open the franchises.

Slutty Vegan is expected to open its first Athens restaurant in May at 700 Baxter St. on the edge of the University of Georgia campus.

The 11th annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival will return to Historic Fourth Ward Park from Sept. 15-18. This year’s event will benefit Children of Conservation’s school lunch program, providing nutrient-dense meals for children in Africa. More at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.

Dinner is served at Chow Club.

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