The Atlantic Monthly called the Southern Foodways Alliance, “this country’s most intellectually engaged food society.” In our book, that’s about as grand a compliment as you can get in seven words.

If you’re not familiar with the group, head to Chattanooga Friday, August 20, for a taste of their mission to document, protect and celebrate the food heritage of the American South. The Oxford, Mississippi-based non-profit is celebrating Southern food and film through its popular road-show the Potlikker Film Fest at Warehouse Row.

The night kicks-off around 5 p.m. when each guest will be greeted with a potlikker shot and cornbread, followed by three short documentaries, sustainable food samples from local chefs and live bluegrass music from Chattanooga’s own Gerle Haggard. The documentaries are directed by Southern filmmaker Joe York, including “Hot Chicken” about Prince’s Chicken Shack in Nashville and “CUD” a profile of Georgia cattleman Will Harris of White Oak Pastures.

The menu will include fried chicken by chef Daniel Lindley of St John’s Restaurant, and BBQ pork tacos by chef Drew Robinson of Jim ‘N’ Nicks. The hogs will be provided by Sequatchie Cove Farm of Chattanooga and Riverview Farms in Ranger, Georgia.

Set in downtown Chattanooga’s historic district, Warehouse Row is an ideal setting for the event with its restored structures repurposed for local artisan stores and restaurants. Tickets for the Potlikker Film Fest are $50 and must be purchased in advance: southernfoodways.org.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 19th, 2010 at 11:57 am and is filed under Activities.