DeKalb County Celebrates Diversity at Dine and DeKalb Event
In a spectacular showcase of local culinary diversity, DeKalb County hosted its inaugural Dine and DeKalb event. Celebrating the rich tapestry of dining experiences available in neighborhoods including Doraville, Chamblee, Tucker, Stone Mountain and Stonecrest, Discover DeKalb, the county’s marketing organization, put on an event that spotlighted a curated mix of businesses and menu offerings.
A Showcase For DeKalb’s Culinary Delights
The Dine and DeKalb event offered local chefs and small-business owners a platform to promite their restaurants, presenting everything from the James Beard Award-nominated Kamayan ATL, a popular Filipino restaurant in Doraville, to Hotel Spice & Sky in Chamblee, which boasts a rooftop bar and restaurant for spectacular skyline views. The event shined a spotlight on the county’s many diverse businesses, some of which aren’t as well known as their counterparts in downtown Atlanta.
Chefs And Owners Shine
Participating chefs and restaurant owners expressed both pride and satisfaction at having their establishments showcased. Among them was personal chef and caterer Tiffinee McGilberry, based in Stonecrest, who found the event beneficial for networking and exposure for her business, Especially Yours Cuisine.
McGilberry shared, “It was a great opportunity for me to get more exposure and more networking.”
Sweet Potato Cafe, a local favorite serving DeKalb County for over twelve years with their farm-to-table Southern dishes, was equally as enthusiastic. The restaurant’s owner, Chef Karen Patton, appreciated the opportunity for people to see, and taste, the culinary delights outside of downtown Atlanta.
Diversity and Variety
This sentiment was echoed by other participants who saw the concept of Dine and Dekalb as a reflection of the county’s cultural richness. Many noted the wide-ranging diversity of restaurants in the county, with cuisines from around the world represented, something not widely known or appreciated by many in the Atlanta area who may only be familiar with the downtown dining scene.
Supporting A Worthy Cause
Adesola Sokunbi, who owns catering service Dishful Thinking, was one of these. Her company specializes in event catering, family meals, meal preps, and dietary plans, and its initiative, Boxes for Better, ensures that a portion of its proceeds go toward supporting culinary education for youth in underrepresented communities. Reflecting on the event, Sokunbi highlighted the importance of spotlighting the rich variety of food and dining spots outside the city.
Continuing A Worthwhile Tradition
The Dine and DeKalb event represents an important initiative to highlight DeKalb’s diverse culinary offerings and bring attention to the county’s contributions to Atlanta’s cultural mosaic. Business owners, chefs, and community members look forward to future events that continue to showcase DeKalb’s richness and diversity in culinary consciousness.
