This weekend, you must check out the inaugural  Atlanta Food & Wine Festival—aka Southern Foodie Heaven. 

The best chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers from around the region have already gathered in the capital of the south to wow you with their talents. The festival goes through this Sunday, May 22, in Midtown. 

What can you expect? Oh, only the best barbecue, fried recipes from award-winning chefs, original preparations of fresh, locally grown veggies, and wine and spirit tastings from around the globe. You can stop by an interactive seminar to hear cooking tips from the pros and watch elaborate cocktail demonstrations. Or sit down to a formal dinner and mingle with Atlanta VIPs, like at the celebrated New Orleans Chef Adolfo Garcia’s Basque dinner this Saturday at Ecco (my favorite Atlanta restaurant!) 

What will this cost you? Your first born. Not really, but close enough. Ticket prices range from $75 day passes for tasting tents and street carts to $225 day passes, which get you into seminars, demonstrations and panels, as well as tastings. You save 10% when purchasing a $500 3 day pass for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Or, if you have the cash, splurge on the all-access 3 day connoisseur pass priced at $2,500, which includes dinner with Top Chef Michelle Bernstein and a party at Chef Kevin Rathbun’s home, among other events. Go big or go home, right? 

THE VERDICT: Sure, it’s pricy, but think of all the incredible food and cocktails you’ll taste, all the famous chefs you’ll meet, and the amazing experience you’ll never forget. I went to a preview event for AF&WF last year—trust me, this is not an event you want to miss. See you this weekend!