the gig:

Once again, Taste of Marietta was a huge success! Tents full of scrumptious fare, hordes of eager hungry people, and great live bands filled the Marietta Square, making for an exciting fun-filled day of tasting.

 

the grand champs:

Here are the 2012 Taste of Marietta food winners. The judging was TOUGH (LBD|LRW’s Elizabeth Cossick was a judge)…everything was delicious. But here’s how the votes fell:

 The Big Chicken

Hottie Hog’s smoked wings

The Grillmaster

Dave Po’s St. Louis Ribs

Finger Lickin’ Good

Grand Champion BBQ’s ribs

All American

Delightful Bitefull crab sliders with mac-n-cheese

Best International Cuisine

Taqueria Tsunami shrimp tempura taco

Most Unique

Fusco’s Via Roma’s fried mozzarella cheese curd

Best Comfort Food

Keegan’s Pub Grilled Mac-n-Cheese Pulled Pork Sliders with Tomato Bisque

Dangerously Delicious Dessert

Chocolate and Spice Eatery’s brownie raspberry crepe with fresh strawberries, peanuts and Nutella

Tastiest Taste

Chicago’s shrimp ‘n grits

Blazin’ BBQ

Sam’s BBQ-1 spare ribs

a new national sponsor! 

Plus, TUMS was a national sponsor for this year’s Taste of Marietta! You probably saw their team walking the square, bags on their shoulders, passing out their new TUMS Freshers to thankful, indigestion-suffering tasters (you might have been one yourself). And, if you were a recipient, you noticed the refreshing minty flavor of TUMS’ newest brainchild. We talked to Mandy Hennebry at TUMS and got the lowdown on their new product…and why this national superstar chose to sponsor our very own Taste of Marietta.

LBD|LRW: Why did TUMS decide to sponsor Taste events around the nation?

Mandy: This is a very big year for TUMS. We’ve got the biggest launch in 80 years – the TUMS Freshers. It’s one of those ah-ha products that has been a while in the making. We know that over ninety-percent of people who suffer from heartburn, also suffer from bad breath and Freshers address that problem. So, naturally we thought of the Taste events to tell people about this! Thousands of people are indulging in food and drinks, getting heartburn and bad breath – what better way to introduce Freshers?

LBD: So, why Taste of Marietta?

Mandy: It’s definitely an excellent event – one of the best taste events in the South. It’s perfect timing, great weather. And it’s got a ton of great food.

LBD: And these TUMS Freshers are primarily targeted to women, correct?

Mandy: Yes, if you think about a woman being out to dinner with friends or at a potluck dinner – anywhere food is involved – and she’s indulging, she’s having fun, she doesn’t want to have to deal with heartburn or bad breath. We like to call these times “moments that matter.” The Freshers are perfect for those moments. Also, the pocket-size packs make them perfect for on-the-go moments, because they fit in a purse!

If you didn’t try the Freshers at the Taste of Marietta, you can also go to TUMS.com or their Facebook page to get a coupon. Hint: They like to run contests with fabulous prizes {such as Tori Burch clutches} on Facebook, so check regularly!

the gallery:

 

 

 

the gig:

If you’ve been around the Marietta/Cobb area for very long, you know all about Marietta native Johnnie Gabriel and her renowned Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bakery, boasting amazing original sandwiches, Southern-style veggies, and, best of all, mouth-watering confections. Well, did you know she’s celebrating 5 years as a full-service restaurant located on Whitlock Avenue in Marietta? My how time flies when we’re stuffing our faces! And, in true Southern fashion, we, the customers, are the beneficiaries of the celebration!

In conjunction with this milestone anniversary, starting April 30, Gabriel’s will change from counter service to a full-service restaurant after 5:00 p.m. each evening. The restaurant will transform with mood lighting, china, glassware and full service wait staff, which will be led by General Manager Doc Cutter, Mary Baker (previously with Four Seasons and the Ritz Carlton) and Laura Payne-Gabriel Rebo. (My my, how fancy!)

Gabriel’s Chef Gregg Baker has conjured up many new yummy dishes for the evening menu, including hand-battered eye round with white gravy, creamy mashed potatoes and collard greens, as well as the JG Burger – a 6 oz. grass fed beef patty with applewood smoked bacon, Gabriel’s pimento cheese, tomato and arugula. Lunch favorites such as salmon cakes, roasted chicken, shrimp and stone ground grits will also grace the menu.

Also, during the 5th anniversary week, running April 30 – May 5, there will be specials, giveaways and events each day. Customers can enter drawings for daily prizes, such as a signed cookbook, gift cards, cupcakes, special occasion cake and a kids cupcake decorating class. And, come by on Saturday night, May 5, for Gabriel’s Anniversary Celebration, which will feature one of Johnnie’s delicious anniversary cakes. (Our mouths are watering just thinking about it!) All customers will get a slice of the cake with any donation to Marietta’s Feed My Lambs Charity.

And, as a very special thank you, for a limited time Gabriel’s has rolled back prices on their most popular menu items! Happy Birthday, dear Johnnie!

the guide:

location: Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bakery, 800 Whitlock Avenue in Marietta

open: Monday – Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

for more info: 770-427-9007 or gabrielsdesserts.com

 

the gig:

Now, don’t get us wrong: we don’t need an excuse to head to the Avenue East Cobb. The unparalleled array of shops tucked into this of-the-moment corner of Cobb is clearly enough to do the trick. But if you add in getting to try tantalizing tidbits from dozens of the area’s top restaurants, well now a Saturday spent there is a complete and total no-brainer. And that’s exactly what’s in store on Saturday, May 5, at the 2012 Taste of East Cobb.

Here’s what else you can expect from “the most delicious Saturday of the year”:

• Tastes from the area’s finest restaurants
• Huge bounce inflatables
• Sand art, spin and face painting
• Ongoing live music & entertainment
• Area vendors, products & services
• Raffle and silent auction
• “Best of Taste of East Cobb” competition
• And much more!

the guide:

Taste of East Cobb

www.tasteofeastcobb.com

Saturday, May 5, 2012

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Cost: Free admission; Tastes are $1 to $5

Rain or Shine! – We’re under tents!

Proceeds benefit the Walton High School Band Booster Club 501(c)(3)

 

the gig:

It’s not every day you can enjoy food from over 75 restaurants, back-to-back live concerts, and activities that please the entire family. But, this Sunday is not every other day – it’s the day Taste of Marietta comes to the Marietta Square!

With around 100,000 people expected to attend, this is the family event of the season in Marietta– and one of the most successful and well-attended Taste events in the entire country (that’s right, we know how to eat in these parts).

Bring the family out for the afternoon and enjoy everything from sushi to chicken wings and {literally} everything in between, including plenty of options for dessert to polish off your eating exploration. Activities include Kid’s Alley, the Sports’ Corner, cooking demonstrations, outdoor concerts, food awards, and much more. Plus, this year’s Taste of Marietta landed a national sponsor:  TUMS Freshers, so they’ll be there with plenty of samples on hand! (Phew.)

The weather is forecasted to be perfect, so mark your calendar and bring the fam for a day of fun and full tummies!

the guide:

date: Sunday, April 29, 2012

time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

location: The Historic Marietta Square

cost: free admission, food ranges in price from around $1 to $5 per taste

for more info: tasteofmarietta.com