Back for the 14th year in a row, Taste of Atlanta is shaping up to be one of the most memorable (and delicious) foodie events in Atlanta! (And we all know how I love Atlanta food.)

Taste of Atlanta guests will experience live chef demos, cooking classes and of course mouth-watering food. This year, the event will be held at Tech Square in Midtown on September 25, 26 and 27.

Each year, Taste of Atlanta hosts an all-inclusive Friday night kick-off party for the festival. I’m particularly excited for this year’s event, Bucket List Bash, because they named it after me! (TOTALLY kidding. It has nothing to do with ATL Bucket List– Just a happy coincidence!)

But I did have the opportunity to ask Dale DeSena, founder of Taste of Atlanta, a few questions about Taste of Atlanta and the Friday night event, Bucket List Bash:

A: I know Taste of Atlanta is in its 14th year, but can you tell me a little about the history of the event? How did it start? How has it evolved?

D: Before launching Taste of Atlanta, I worked with a handful of festivals around Atlanta such as Music Midtown, Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival and others. I saw the need to call attention to our city’s incredible local food scene and a diverse list of international flavors, thus, Taste of Atlanta was born! The very first Taste of Atlanta was held in the parking lot of Phipps Plaza. Fast forward 14 years, and the festival now takes up over 10 blocks of Midtown at Tech Square. Taste of Atlanta has evolved into such a renowned culinary attraction in the Southeast with offerings from over 90 restaurants, four live cooking stages and plenty of exciting entertainment!

A: Is Bucket List Bash a new concept? Or is it something that happens along with Taste of Atlanta each year?

D: Each year, we have an all-inclusive Friday night kickoff party for the festival. To spice things up, we always plan a different theme! This year’s theme is Bucket List Bash. Everyone is always asking chefs what their “bucket list” meal or their last supper would be, so this is a chance to for attendees to see what the chefs are cooking up!

A: What (in your opinion) is the most exciting aspect of this year’s Taste of Atlanta?

D: As a foodie myself, I always anticipate tasting what’s new and innovative in the restaurant industry – whether that is a new ingredient, a new technique or a new twist on a classic favorite! Taste of Atlanta will also be the first Atlanta food and drink festival to fully integrate RFID-enabled digital wristband technologies into the entire event experience. This will make it easier and faster for attendees to enter the festival and purchase “Taste Points” for food, beverages and other merchandise—all with just a tap of their wristband. Basically, we’ll be a completely cash-less event!

A: With all of the festivals always going on in Atlanta, what makes Taste of Atlanta the one not to miss?

D: I’m very proud that Taste of Atlanta is one of the more accessible food festivals. Ours is a festival that everyone can enjoy – from newcomers to self-proclaimed foodies to culinary experts – and everyone in between! Each year, there will always be new tastes to discover and trending programming to keep the festival fresh and flavorful for attendees. This is the only food festival to showcase more than 90 of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants all in one place.

A: Any closing thoughts on Taste of Atlanta?

D: I just want to add that there really is something for everyone to enjoy – Taste of Atlanta has all kinds of menu items from 90 + award-winning chef-driven restaurants and local favorites! Taste of Atlanta also features live entertainment, specialty food and beverage tents and five live cooking stages (The Chef’s Table, The Kitchen Workshop, The Big Green Egg Grilling Experience, EAT GA Stage and the Carnival’s Kids Corner) to give our guests the full experience. We hope to see everyone there in just a few, short weeks!

Bucket List Bash is going to be the “epicurean experience of a lifetime with the chance to check off bucket list recipes – one bite at a time.” Plus, a portion of the proceeds from Bucket List Bash ticket sales will be donated to The Giving Kitchen, so it’s an event you can feel good about attending. If you want to get a jump start on crossing off restaurants from your Atlanta foodie bucket list, purchase your ticket here.

*Also, check out @atl_bucketlist on Instagram to learn how you can win a FREE pair of tickets to Bucket List Bash!