THIS SATURDAY: Holiday Artist Market

Shop for holiday gifts from local artists this Saturday!
Join us at the Market on Nov. 27 and again on Dec. 18 for our annual Holiday Artist Markets! In addition to all of your favorite farmers and food producers, we'll have over 20 different local artists to help you get all of your holiday shopping done in one place! The Market moves inside the Cathedral for both holiday markets so you can shop in comfort. Reminder: Please leave your dogs at home for our inside Markets . . . thanks!

El Sol Warms the Market

This week’s Chef Demo features
Eddie Hernandez of Taqueria del Sol – 10:00 am on 11/20
Chef Demos are sponsored by Whole Foods Market

If you haven’t experienced a Taqueria craving yet, it can only be because you haven’t yet been to one of Chef Eddie Hernandez’s popular locations of Taqueria del Sol. Those folks you see lined up outside aren’t just standing there for their health. Though we’re convinced that all that standing must burn off the calories of at least one delicious tortilla chip dipped in some mighty fine guacamole. The real reason they’re standing in line is that Hernandez’s authentic Mexican and Southern-inspired tacos, enchiladas and daily specials are fresh, tasty expressions of fine dining ingredients meeting fast-casual prices. Hernandez prides himself on offering something for everyone. And everyone agrees that Taqueria just hits the spot!

Like all great Chefs, Hernandez’s passion runs deep. He was born in Monterrey, Mexico, where he grew up helping in the kitchen at his grandmother’s restaurants, and moved to the US at the age of 17. After moving to Texas, Hernandez began working as a chef at El Chico Mexican Restaurants and playing drums, another passion of his, to support himself. Eager to have more creative freedom, he moved to Georgia on the suggestion of a friend. Working at the Azteca Grill in Clayton County, Hernandez met then-operator, Taqueria del Sol CEO Mike Klank, setting the stage for the Klank-Hernandez partnership that would take Atlanta’s culinary scene by storm. The two moved on from Azteca Grill in 1991, opening Sundown Café off Cheshire Bridge. Inspired by the taco stands and flavors of the West, the two opened the first Taqueria del Sol in 2000. The rest is line-worthy history.

Today, you can find Hernandez at one of the four Taqueria del Sol locations or at the sister company, Sol Catering. You’ll thank him for favorites like the Memphis (smoked pork with spicy jalapeño coleslaw and tequila BBQ sauce), Fried Chicken, and Fish tacos, and warm up with a cup of Shrimp Corn Chowder. And you’ll probably also want to thank his team for being so fast delivering these goodies to your table.

What’s next? Hernandez is motivated by a strong desire to continue learning and to stay ahead of the culinary curve. He is continually researching new ideas and enjoys reinterpreting fine dining dishes to make them approachable in price without sacrificing quality. Stop by this week’s demo to find out what Chef Hernandez has in store to warm your heart (with a little Sol).

Save the Dates: Nov 27 & Dec 18: Holiday Artist Markets
Are your jingle bells at the ready? Save the date for this year’s Holiday Artist Markets where you can get all of your holiday gifts from local artists—join us inside as we welcome over 20 artists to the market to help you with your holiday shopping!


- Jennifer Maley

Y’all Come

Join Virginia Willis for this week’s
Chef Demo – 10:00 am on 11/13
Chef Demos are sponsored by Whole Foods Market

You won’t want to miss Saturday’s Chef Demo with acclaimed cookbook author Virginia Willis! Her Bon Appétit, Y’all! Recipes and Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking is full of heirloom recipes, beautifully written anecdotes, and dishes grounded in quality ingredients. Virginia brings a delicious blend of Southern roots and French technique to all that she does in the food world, which is quite a lot—producer, author, editor and food stylist, to name a few.

Now, about that French technique…Virginia is a graduate of L'Academie de Cuisine and Ecole de Cuisine LaVarenne, the famous French cooking school. She then honed her skills as the Kitchen Director for Martha Stewart Living TV where Virginia also prepared meals and events for Martha and her guests including President Clinton, Aretha Franklin and Julia Child. Virginia’s passion for food and eye for detail led her to join Epicurious as Executive Producer, traveling the world to tape fantastic stories about food—from harvesting capers in the shadow of a smoldering volcano to making authentic mustard in Dijon.

And Southern roots…Virginia’s worldly food career started right here in Atlanta as an apprentice to Nathalie Dupree. She worked with Dupree on four PBS series and cookbooks, including the James Beard award-winning Comfortable Entertaining. And, if you’ve picked up a copy of Virginia’s Bon Appétit, Y’all, you know through its stories of family and food all about how deep her love is for the culinary South.

To learn more about this nationally recognized culinary professional we’re lucky enough to have in our own city, visit Virginia’s website and blog. What’s next? Keep an eye out for her upcoming book, Basic to Brilliant, Y'all: Recipes and Recollections of a Southern Culinary Journey and product line My Southern Pantry (just in time for the holidays)!

Join us this Saturday for stories, tips and some darn good food.


- Jennifer Maley

Market Update

Fundraising Goal Met!
We’re so excited to announce that we’ve met our fundraising goal for the matching grant from the Zyman Family Foundation! It was the generosity of over 100 people that helped secure the funding needed to cover the police officer and city fees. As the market strives to get better every year, we can still use your support, so please keep us in mind when you plan your year-end charitable giving. Thanks to all of our supporters!

1,000 Pounds of Food
This July, the Peachtree Road Farmers Market began working with Second Helpings to donate food to the Gateway Center. So far, the market has given over 1,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and baked goods to support the 325 people who count on the Gateway Center for their daily meals.

Mark Your Calendars
Nov 12: PRFM on PBS
Tune in to PBS for the Georgia Traveler episode about the Peachtree Road Farmers Market! This 30 min show will air Nov 12th at 8pm on PBS. If you miss it, check out the episode online after Nov 12.

Nov 27 & Dec 18: Holiday Artist Markets
Are your jingle bells at the ready? Save the date for this year’s Holiday Artist Markets where you can get all of your holiday gifts from local artists—join us inside as we welcome over 20 artists to the market to help you with your holiday shopping!


- Jennifer Maley

Fall Comfort at this week’s Market

Don’t miss Saturday’s Chef Demo with
Stephen Herman of HAVEN – 10:00 am on 11/6
Chef Demos are sponsored by Whole Foods Market

Chef Stephen Herman fell in love with culinary comforts from an early age in his mother’s kitchen—her talent for baking inspired him to pursue a culinary career and the rest is history. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Herman traveled up the road to Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in culinary arts.

While at Johnson and Wales, Herman worked with renowned Chef Bob Waggoner at the prestigious Charleston Grill. Waggoner was so impressed with the passion and skill of Herman that he invited his mentee to cook in some of France’s finest restaurants. In France, Herman gained exceptional experience and great respect for the rich history of French food.

He returned to the States with a renewed passion and honed skills that were perfect for the next step in his career—traveling to Atlanta to work with one of the best chefs to grace our city— Chef Joël Antunes recognized Herman’s abilities and put him to work at JOËL, one of Atlanta’s most iconic French restaurants. Herman’s tenure there developed his focus on classic and modern French cooking even further.

His journey in Atlanta then led Chef Herman to HAVEN at its inception and he now guides its kitchen as executive chef. At HAVEN, he combines seasonal meats and produce with traditional southern ingredients to create a fresh, sophisticated version of comfort food. Herman sources ingredients from farmers and markets as way of guaranteeing guests the freshest produce. With great respect for changes in seasonal harvests, Herman changes the menu five times yearly.

Join us this Saturday when Chef Stephen Herman will bring the warmth of HAVEN’s welcoming atmosphere and good food to our tents at the Farmers Market!

Coming Soon: Holiday Artist Markets
November 27th & December 18th
Are your jingle bells at the ready? Save the date for this year’s Holiday Artist Markets where you can get all of your holiday gifts from local artists—join us inside as we welcome over 20 artists to the market to help you with your holiday shopping!


- Jennifer Maley

Double-Treats: Demo & Parade

Pack your costume and your appetite for
this week’s Market events!

Demo with Chef Thomas McKeown
10:00 am on 10/30
Chef Demos are sponsored by
Whole Foods Market
If you’ve ever joined Chef Thomas McKeown on one of his Market tours, you’ll know what an expert he is in sourcing and creating magic with the season’s best local foods. You’ll also know that his descriptions of food are just as beautiful as the accent he uses to describe it. Not just a pretty voice, Chef Thomas also brings an Irish perspective to his culinary approach. He celebrates heirloom recipes, supports local and regional farmers, and raises awareness for a more sustainable and vibrant food community. Peachtree Road Farmers Market is lucky to have him as our friend – and we think that you’ll agree after joining us for this week’s chef demo!

2nd Annual Halloween Market Parade
Step-off at 11 am
Pull out your ghoulish gear for a morning of Halloween fun at the Market! We welcome kids of all ages, dogs and their people. Prizes courtesy of The Cookie Studio and Taj Ma-Hound Bakery. RAIN OR SHINE!

People Costume Prize Categories include:
* Most Farmers Market Inspired
* Best Use of Recycled & Green Materials
* Too young to protest (under 18 months)

Doggie Costume Prize Categories include:
* Most Farmers Market Inspired
* Best Duo Costume (person/dog in complementary costumes)
* Most Original


- Jennifer Maley

This Week at the Market

Market Mash-up – Better Together
This Saturday, Oct. 23, at 10 am
It’s going to be a “monster” mash-up! Your Market vendors will team up to create a dish combining their products into one delicious recipe. A lucky 150 shoppers will get to vote for their favorite dish. Who will join forces to have the best mash-up? Will it be jam and sausage? Pesto and pasta? Chicken and cheese? Join us to find out – root for your favorite vendors and try some great new dishes! Judges on hand to help include former AJC dining critic Meredith Ford Goldman and Atlanta Magazine’s local food expert Deborah Geering.

This Saturday is also Bike to the Market Day with special bike parking! Grab your bike and come enjoy the fall air, live music, autumn produce, and Market Mash-up this Saturday!

Coming next week: Halloween Fun at the Market:

2nd Annual Halloween Market Parade
Oct. 30, Step-off at 11 am
Pull out your ghoulish gear for a morning of Halloween fun at the Market! We welcome kids of all ages, dogs and their people. Prizes courtesy of The Cookie Studio and Taj Ma-Hound Bakery. RAIN OR SHINE!

People Costume Prize Categories include:
* Most Farmers Market Inspired
* Best Use of Recycled & Green Materials
* Too young to protest (under 18 months)

Doggie Costume Prize Categories include:
* Most Farmers Market Inspired
* Best Duo Costume (person/dog in complementary costumes)
* Most Original


- Jennifer Maley