CHEF FORD FRY HOSTS FIFTH ANNUAL JCT. KITCHEN ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATO FESTIVAL

Join Chef Ford Fry as he hosts the fifth annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on Sunday, July 21 from 1-5 p.m. This year, more than 40 of the South’s top chefs along with 15 skilled mixologists and over 30 farmers are teaming up to create the tastiest tomato concoctions and to help raise money for Georgia Organics.

Tickets are now on sale for $55 per person and $50 for Georgia Organics members and can be purchased online through Xorbia. Starting Monday, July 1, all ticket prices will increase to $70 per person. A total of 1,400 tickets are available for attendees. Last year’s festival brought in close to $26,000 for Georgia Organics.

The festival will once again be held at JCT. Kitchen & Bar and spread out over the pedestrian bridge that connects the two sides of Westside Provisions District.

The Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is also an excellent opportunity for chefs and attendees alike to meet some new producers and develop longstanding relationships in order to further support the local food movement. The connection that is built between the participating farmers and restaurant professionals during this event is one that often leads to long term sourcing of locally grown produce as well as continued education for the culinary community and its diners.

Each featured chef is paired with a local farmer to create a crowd-pleasing tomato dish for attendees to sample, while the featured mixologists listed below craft their own signature cocktails. Participating chefs include Jay Swift of 4th & Swift, Lance Gummere of Bantam + Biddy, Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow, Robert Gerstenecker of Park 75 and Ron Eyester of Rosebud and The Family Dog, among others. 

High-profile judges including Garden & Gun Deputy Editor Dave Mezz, Food & Wine Associate Food Editor Daniel Gritzer, Esquire restaurant features writer John Mariani and James Beard Award-winning authors Matt and Ted Lee, are choosing the best dish, best beverage and best table decorations during the event. Food writer, stylist and photographer Angie Mosier and registered dietician, author and food journalist Carolyn O’Neil are returning as co-masters of ceremonies.

Atlanta Foods International, Crop Organic Vodka, Farmer’s Botanical Small Batch Organic Gin, Georgia Crown Distributing Co., The Icebox, Melwood Springs, Ole Smoky Moonshine, paQui Tequila, Scoutmob, Springer Mountain Farms, TriMark South, Wild Heaven Craft Beers and Westside Provisions Districtare event sponsors. For more information, visit killertomatofest.com.

Georgia Organics is a member supported nonprofit connecting organic food from Georgia farms to Georgia families. The organization is increasing the number of organic farmers in rural and urban areas, increasing the number of children participating in farm to school programs, and increasing the number of Georgians eating organically grown, local food. These links improve public health, support local farmers and strengthen Georgia’s environment. For more information on Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org or call 678-702-0400. Georgia Organics office is located at 200-A Ottley Drive in Atlanta.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar is located in Atlanta’s Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18. To make a reservation, call JCT. Kitchen & Bar at 404-355-2252 or visit jctkitchen.com.