Chef Ford Fry Hosts Fifth Annual JCT Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

In just 2 short weeks, it will be time for the 5th Annual JCT Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival to be held on July 21st.

In a prepared statement, Midtown residents are asked to, "join Chef Ford Fry as he hosts the fifth annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on Sunday, July 21 from 1-5 p.m. This year, more than 40 of the South’s top chefs along with 15 skilled mixologists and over 30 farmers are teaming up to create the tastiest tomato concoctions and to help raise money for Georgia Organics."

Tickets are now on sale for $55 per person and $50 for Georgia Organics members and can be purchased online through Xorbia. Starting Monday, July 1, all ticket prices will increase to $70 per person. A total of 1,400 tickets are available for attendees. Last year’s festival brought in close to $26,000 for Georgia Organics. 

The festival will once again be held at JCT. Kitchen & Bar and spread out over the pedestrian bridge that connects the two sides of Westside Provisions District. 

“Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is absolutely one of my favorite events,” says Ford Fry, owner/chef of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist. “I love seeing the creativity of all the participants and I’m looking forward to seeing what this year’s crop of talent comes up with,” he adds.

Each featured chef is paired with a local farmer like Hancock to create a crowd-pleasing tomato dish for attendees to sample, while the featured mixologists listed below craft their own signature cocktails. 

Participating chefs include:

Jay Swift of 4th & Swift

David Larkworthy of 5 Seasons Brewing Company

Brett Ashcraft of Abattoir

Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina

Andy Carson and Carla Tomasko of Bacchanalia

Lance Gummere of Bantam + Biddy

Bruce Logue of BoccaLupo

Suzanne Vizethann of Buttermilk Kitchen

Carvel Grant Gould of Canoe

Asha Gomez of Cardamom Hill

Delia Champion of Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand

Ryan Smith of Empire State South

Whitney Otawka of Farm 255

Dan Latham and Cameron Thompson of Farm Burger

Todd Immel of Floataway Café 

Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow

E.J. Hodgkinson of JCT. Kitchen & Bar

Taria Camerino of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, King + Duke, No. 246 and The Optimist

Joe Schafer of King + Duke

Nick Carse of King of Pops

Brent Banda of La Tavola Trattoria

Eric Ottensmeyer of Leon’s Full Service

Chris Hall of Local Three

Jeremiah Bacon of The Macintosh (in Charleston, SC)

Steven Satterfield of Miller Union

Drew Belline of No. 246

Andrew Smith and Scotley Innis of Ormsby’s

Adam Evans of The Optimist and Oyster Bar at The Optimist

Robert Gerstenecker of Park 75

Nick Rutherford and Molly Gunn of The Porter

Kevin Rathbun of Rathbun’s, Kevin Rathbun Steak, Krog Bar and KR SteakBar

Ron Eyester of Rosebud and The Family Dog

Scott Serpas of Serpas True Food

Drew Van Leuvan of Seven Lamps

Jenny Levison and Jessica Hanners of Souper Jenny

Cooper Miller of Southbound

Robert Elliot of Sprig *“2012 Best Booth”

Eddie Hernandez of Taqueria del Sol

Tyler Williams of Woodfire Grill

Participating mixologists include:

Kevin Bragg of 4th& Swift

Ryan McLaughlin and Heather Miller of Abattoir

Kellie Thorn of Empire State South

Jerry Slater and Callie Schlosser of H. Harper Station

Eduardo Guzman of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and The Optimist

Miles Macquarrie of Leon’s Full Service *“2012 People’s Choice for Best Tasting Cocktail”

Kevin Ryan of Local Three

Stuart White of Miller Union

Paul Calvert of Paper Plane and Victory Sandwich Bar *“2012 Best Tasting Cocktail”

Nate Shuman of Proof and Provision

Andy Minchow of Ration & Dram

Jeff Jackson of Rosebud

Arianne Fielder of Seven Lamps

Navarro Carr of Sound Table

Brian Stanger of Woodfire Grill

High-profile judges including Garden & Gun Deputy Editor Dave Mezz, Food & Wine Associate Food Editor Daniel Gritzer, Esquire restaurant features writer John Mariani and James Beard Award-winning authors Matt and Ted Lee, are choosing the best dish, best beverage and best table decorations during the event. Food writer, stylist and photographer Angie Mosier and registered dietician, author and food journalist Carolyn O’Neil are returning as co-masters of ceremonies, and guests can enjoy live performances from The Spazmatics and local chef band Five Bone Rack. Special guest David Miller, the actor who played Mason Dixon in the original “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” movie, is returning this year to present the awards to winners.

(Suong Nguyen provided information within a press release for this article)