Food That Rocks Benefits Sandy Springs-Based Charities

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- More than 25 of the best local restaurants will be rocking in the heart of Sandy Springs next weekend at the second annual Food That Rocks.

Set for 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 6 at Hammond Park, the 2017 Food That Rocks, a Celebration of Sandy Springs, will feature gourmet bites from the city's top restaurants, wine/beer/cocktail tastes and live music.

General admission tickets for the event, which is for those 21 and older, are now $55 per person in advance and $60 at the door. First-taster VIP tickets are $70 per person in advance and $75 at the door.

The event will once again benefit three Sandy Springs-based nonprofit organizations: Second Helpings Atlanta, Ian’s Friends Foundation and the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance.

Honorary co-chairs of the 2017 event live or work in Sandy Springs and represent each of the non-profit organizations benefiting from this year’s event. Co-chairs include Diane Curtis, development coordinator of Second Helpings Atlanta; Lauren Hulsebos Johnson, lead volunteer of Ian's Friends Foundation; and Caryn Kroll, whose grandmother lost her battle with ovarian cancer, is representing GOCA.

"Second Helpings Atlanta was delighted to be selected as one of the nonprofit beneficiaries for last year's Food That Rocks,” says Joe Labriola, executive director of Second Helpings Atlanta. “The venue provided an incredible amount of visibility and helped raise levels of awareness and appreciation for the food rescue work we do in our community. The Taste of Atlanta staff continues to be a great partner and we look forward to working with them again this year."

In partnership with the Sandy Springs Hospitality and Tourism, Sandy Springs Restaurant Council and Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, Food That Rocks is presented by Taste of Atlanta, the award-winning bites and beverages festival that showcases the diversity of Atlanta restaurants.

“Last year’s event was a wonderful way for the community to get together and celebrate all the good happening in Sandy Springs,” said Cheryl Yagoda, founder and vice president of Ian’s Friends Foundation. “Food That Rocks was a great way to meet new neighbors, sample the great food in our area, and find out about charities doing amazing work - all in our back yard."

Doug Barron, executive director of GOCA, added the organization made some new and "extremely beneficial connections" at the first-ever Food That Rocks event.

“Those connections have turned in to community partnerships, and we are thrilled to be included again this year so we can build some more," he added.

For sponsorship information, email dale@tasteofatlanta.com. For additional details about Food That Rocks, visit its website.

Photo: from the left, Caryn Kroll and Doug Barron of GOCA, Jason Sheetz of Under the Cork Tree, Cheryl Yagoda of Ian's Friends Foundation and Diane Curtis of Second Helpings Atlanta, gearing up for the 2nd Annual Food That Rocks - A Celebration of Sandy Springs. Credit: Taste of Atlanta