Birmingham, September 26, 2025
News Summary
Birmingham’s Southbound Food Festival culminates with the Food & Fire event on September 27, celebrating barbecue, live-fire cooking, and Southern cuisine. The festival, expanded to ten days, features regional and national chefs. Attendees can enjoy live music, craft beer tastings, and a tailgating atmosphere while connecting with the community through diverse culinary experiences.
Birmingham to Conclude Southbound Food Festival with Food & Fire Event
The Southbound Food Festival in Birmingham, which showcases the city’s rich culinary culture, will wrap up this weekend with its highlight event, Food & Fire, taking place on Saturday, September 27. This popular daytime tasting event celebrates the barbecue community, live-fire cooking, and Southern tailgate culture.
This year’s festival features both regional and national chefs and pitmasters who will provide unique open-fire twists on signature bites and beloved tailgate classics. Attendees can look forward to exciting activities including the Southern Living Tailgate Stage presented by Hellmann’s and the Coca Cola Music Stage, which will feature live musical performances by The Heavy Heavy and Southern Avenue.
For sports enthusiasts, the Avadian Credit Union Tailgate Lounge will provide a large screen for viewing SEC football games, creating a lively tailgating atmosphere. Additionally, the Hop City Craft Beer+Wine Garden will showcase dozens of Alabama’s finest breweries and wineries, offering a chance to sample local beverages.
This year marks the third annual Southbound Food Festival, running from September 19–28, and has expanded from one week to a full ten days of events. Keri Lane, the marketing director for the festival, noted the emphasis on showcasing diverse culinary talent and the involvement of guest chefs in the festival activities.
Sid Evans, editor-in-chief of Southern Living magazine, called Food & Fire one of the best food events in the country. Leigh Sloss-Corra, vice president of the Southbound Food Festival, highlighted the enjoyable experience of tasting new food in a communal atmosphere, while John Litzinger, assistant manager at Son of a Butcher, expressed the festival’s significance for community connection and the opportunity for chefs to showcase their skills.
The festival has also been recognized nationally, as evidenced by its mention in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the best new festivals in the country. Furthermore, it has undergone a rebranding from the Birmingham FOOD + Culture Festival, allowing for broader culinary collaboration and discovery throughout the region, all while promoting Birmingham as a center of incredible culinary talent.
As the festival nears its end, it will conclude with a Funk Brunch on September 28, which will feature soulful Southern dishes set to the music of The Blind Boys of Alabama. With over 100 chefs represented from across the South, the Southbound Food Festival continues to champion the vibrant food culture of Birmingham.
Key Features of the Southbound Food Festival
| Event | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Food & Fire | September 27 | Daytime tasting event, open-fire cooking, live music |
| Funk Brunch | September 28 | Soulful Southern dishes, live music by The Blind Boys of Alabama |
| Beverage Tasting | Throughout the festival | Hop City Craft Beer+Wine Garden with Alabama breweries and wineries |
FAQ
What is the Southbound Food Festival?
The Southbound Food Festival is an event that showcases the culinary culture of Birmingham.
When is the Food & Fire event?
The Food & Fire event is scheduled for Saturday, September 27.
What can attendees expect at the Food & Fire event?
Attendees can expect a daytime tasting event celebrating the barbecue community, live-fire cooking, and Southern tailgate culture.
Are there any live music performances during the festival?
Yes, there will be performances on the Coca Cola Music Stage featuring musical acts The Heavy Heavy and Southern Avenue.
What else is featured at the festival?
The festival will also feature a large screen for viewing SEC football games in the Avadian Credit Union Tailgate Lounge and a Hop City Craft Beer+Wine Garden showcasing Alabama breweries and wineries.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Birmingham Times
- Wikipedia: Food Festival
- ABC3340
- Google Search: Southbound Food Festival Birmingham
- AL.com
- Google Scholar: Food Festivals
- Bham Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cuisine
- CBS 42
- Google News: Birmingham Culinary Events
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
