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Party in the Kitchen 2026 Returns With 25 Atlanta Chefs to Support Open Hand

The 23rd annual Atlanta culinary fundraiser brings Kevin Rathbun, Peter Kaiser, Chris Hall, Austin Goetzman, and more to the Foundry at Puritan Mill on September 24
Written By: author avatar Megha McSwain
author avatar Megha McSwain
Megha McSwain is the Managing Editor of DiningOut, overseeing editorial content across Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta. Born in Mumbai, India, Megha spent most of her life in Houston and now resides in Colorado. Throughout her career, she has contributed to leading food, travel, and lifestyle publications, including Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, and Texas Monthly. A trusted voice in food and lifestyle media, Megha also makes regular appearances on local television, appearing on Great Day Houston on KHOU 11 and Texas Today on NBC 5.
Atlanta chefs gather at the Foundry at Puritan Mill for Open Hand’s annual Party in the Kitchen, which brings the city’s restaurant community together in support of the nonprofit’s mission. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta
Atlanta chefs gather at the Foundry at Puritan Mill for Open Hand’s annual Party in the Kitchen, which brings the city’s restaurant community together in support of the nonprofit’s mission. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta

Atlanta’s restaurant community is coming together for a good cause on September 24, when Party in the Kitchen returns with bites from 25 local chefs—all in support of one of the city’s longstanding nonprofits. 

Open Hand’s annual culinary fundraiser returns to the Foundry at Puritan Mill for its 23rd year, bringing together chefs from restaurants across Atlanta for an evening benefiting the organization’s work providing medically tailored meals and nutrition services to Georgians living with chronic illnesses.

Peter Kaiser of Kaiser’s Chophouse serves guests at Party in the Kitchen. Kaiser returns as a chef co-chair for this year’s event. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta
Peter Kaiser of Kaiser’s Chophouse serves guests at Party in the Kitchen. Kaiser returns as a chef co-chair for this year’s event. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta

Leading this year’s kitchen are chef co-chairs Kevin Rathbun of Kevin Rathbun Steak and Peter Kaiser of Kaiser’s Chophouse, both longtime Open Hand supporters. Rathbun has chaired Party in the Kitchen for 10 years, while Kaiser returns as a chef co-chair for the third consecutive year. They’ll be joined by a lineup of local culinary talent that includes Chris Hall of Local Three and Austin Goetzman of Aria, with 25 chefs participating in all.

For diners, the format offers something restaurant hopping can’t quite replicate: the chance to taste food from a wide-ranging group of Atlanta chefs under one roof. Rather than committing to a table at one restaurant for the evening, guests can graze their way through the Foundry and discover chefs and restaurants they may want to seek out later.

Chefs prepare tasting portions for guests at Party in the Kitchen, where bites from Atlanta restaurants are the centerpiece of the annual fundraiser. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta
Chefs prepare tasting portions for guests at Party in the Kitchen, where bites from Atlanta restaurants are the centerpiece of the annual fundraiser. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta

Beyond the chef tastings, the evening will feature drinks and live entertainment, along with an auction stocked with travel, Atlanta experiences, and dining packages from participating chefs—giving guests a few more ways to support Open Hand between bites.

But the food is only half the story. Open Hand has been serving the Atlanta community since 1988, using food and nutrition as tools to support people managing chronic illnesses. Today, the nonprofit prepares, packages, and delivers approximately 5,000 medically tailored meals each day, while also providing nutrition services throughout the community.

Party in the Kitchen guests browse auction offerings, another way the annual culinary event raises funds for Open Hand Atlanta. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta
Party in the Kitchen guests browse auction offerings, another way the annual culinary event raises funds for Open Hand Atlanta. | Photo by Open Hand Atlanta

Party in the Kitchen has helped support that mission for more than two decades, tapping into Atlanta’s restaurant community to raise money while giving local diners a particularly delicious way to get involved.

This year’s Party in the Kitchen begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 24, at the Foundry at Puritan Mill. The evening includes chef tastings, drinks, music, and opportunities to bid on auction experiences, with proceeds benefiting Open Hand. Tickets and the complete lineup of participating chefs are available at openhandatlanta.org/PITK.

For Atlanta diners, it’s a chance to eat their way around the city in a single night—and make every bite count for something more.

Party in the Kitchen, Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m., The Foundry at Puritan Mill, 916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. NW, Atlanta

author avatar
Megha McSwain Managing Editor
Megha McSwain is the Managing Editor of DiningOut, overseeing editorial content across Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta. Born in Mumbai, India, Megha spent most of her life in Houston and now resides in Colorado. Throughout her career, she has contributed to leading food, travel, and lifestyle publications, including Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, and Texas Monthly. A trusted voice in food and lifestyle media, Megha also makes regular appearances on local television, appearing on Great Day Houston on KHOU 11 and Texas Today on NBC 5.

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