Carving a Great Pumpkin

On October 25th you can see some of the area’s chefs compete in the Great Chefs of Atlanta Pumpkin-Carving Contest that would make even Charlie Brown a believer in a great pumpkin.

Armed with whatever it takes to create the most artistic sculpture out of giant pumpkins, six chefs will be given 30 minutes to carve out their masterpieces before audiences gathered on the Great Lawn during Fest-of-Ale. The fall party, held from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. every Thursday in October, features specialty beers from cash bars, live bluegrass music, and more than 100 creative entries in Scarecrows in the Garden.

Emceeing the pumpkin-carving contest, which begins at 7:00 p.m., will be The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s dining critic John Kessler. Competing will be two-time defending champion Tony Alberto, Chef and Visual Artist, Mabuhay Atlanta Master Art Studio; 2009 Champion Chef Victor Dagatan, Ritz-Carlton Buckhead; Chef Andrew Miller, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts; Chef Max LeBlanc, Sun in My Belly; Chef Greg Paine, Avante; and Chef Emily Phillips, Added Touch Catering. Then at the end of the carving period, audience members will select a winner by applause, and then afterwards all carvings are sold in a silent auction benefiting the Garden.

Atlanta Botanical Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE in Midtown. Admission is $18.95 adults, $12.95 children 3-12, free to children under 3 and Garden members. For more information visit atlantabotanicalgarden.org or phone 404.876.5859.