On Sunday, May 17, The Farm at Old Edwards becomes the Plateau’s most sought-after dinner reservation. Chef’s Circle: Celebrating the Flavors of Highlands gathers an extraordinary assembly of local culinary talent for a four-hour open-air feast from 6:00 to 10:00 P.M., a rare opportunity to experience so many standout kitchens in one place.
The lineup is the story. While the menu for the night is still being crafted—details will be announced closer to the date—the chefs bringing it to life are reason enough to secure a ticket now.
Executive Chef Chris Huerta provides the evening’s refined center of gravity. His cooking is rooted in the Blue Ridge and informed by technique that never tips into fussiness. At Madison’s, he has built his reputation on dishes like oysters fried in cornbread crust, venison wrapped in bacon with BBQ-glazed gnocchi, and Sunburst trout with caper cream—food drawn from the restaurant’s organic garden at The Farm.
Kyle Bryner arrives with both a trophy and a narrative. The Season 6 winner of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl runs Blue Hound Barbecue in Dillard, where his “Mountain BBQ” philosophy bridges Texas boldness with Appalachian soul. Known for Brasstown beef, heritage pork, scratch-made sausages, and sides rooted in the Appalachian pantry—pimento cheese grits, chow-chow, house pickles—his cooking combines primal firepower with competition-level precision.
The Stubborn Bull shifts the flavor profile toward Mediterranean and Spanish territory. Their cooking leans into olive-oil richness, assertive spices, grilled meats, and tapas-style dishes designed to be shared—food that naturally draws people together.
Laura Huerta of Lakeside Restaurant, now in her 38th season overlooking Harris Lake, brings a polished coastal sensibility. Admired for impeccably prepared fish and hospitality, her dishes offer a lighter counterpoint to the evening’s smoke and spice.
Edelweiss Highlands adds an Old-World accent with Austrian-inspired specialties and pastry-driven indulgences—hearty, nostalgic food suited to a cool mountain evening and a lingering glass in hand.
Chef’s Circle takes place May 17, 2026, at The Farm at Old Edwards, 336 Arnold Road. Tickets are $198 per person and include food, beverages, shuttle service, and gratuity. VIP tickets ($240) add an exclusive 5:00–6:00 p.m. chef meet-and-greet featuring a seafood display, passed hors d’oeuvres, full bar access, and a swag bag.
As this article went to press, additional restaurants were added to the roster, including Paoletti’s, Stubborn Budha, Four65 Woodfire Bistro, and Blue Bike Café, with more expected to follow.
One evening, one remarkable setting, and an unparalleled gathering of Highlands culinary talent. Book tickets at OldEdwardsHospitality.com/ChefDinners.
Favorites Count: 0