Atlanta’s First-Ever Good Luck Smokeshow Celebrates Asian American Chefs and Barbecue Culture

Kwame
  • May 8, 2025
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Sweet Auburn Barbecue is launching a can’t-miss culinary event this spring: the inaugural Good Luck Smokeshow, a one-night-only Atlanta food festival spotlighting some of the nation’s top Asian American chefs and pitmasters. Held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the outdoor tasting event combines fire, flavor, and cultural pride in honor of AAPI Heritage Month.

Founded by siblings and restaurateurs Anita and Howard Hsu, Sweet Auburn Barbecue is known for blending Southern barbecue traditions with Chinese heritage. The Good Luck Smokeshow continues that legacy, transforming Highland Avenue in Atlanta into a vibrant culinary block party with live performances, craft cocktails, and award-winning food.

The chef lineup features nationally acclaimed talent including:

• Nikko Cagalanan (Kultura, Charleston) – 2024 James Beard finalist

• Blood Bros. BBQ (Houston) – Texas-style barbecue with Vietnamese and Chinese roots

• J Chong (Asheville) – Authentic Cantonese cooking and LGBTQ+ advocacy

• Peter Nguyen (Lê Madeline, Boston) – Eater Boston’s 2024 Chef of the Year

• Thai Changthong (Austin) – Street-style Thai-Chinese flavors

Atlanta favorites like Soupbelly, Spring by Brian So, Hapa ATL, and Leftie Lee’s will also be featured, offering guests a diverse and dynamic tasting experience.

In addition to food, the festival will include lion dances, kung fu demonstrations, rooftop DJs, and a curated lineup of local AAPI vendors. Guests will enjoy unlimited food tastings and drinks with the price of admission.

Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online at sweetauburnbbq.com. The event takes place at Sweet Auburn Barbecue (656 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA) and begins at 5:00 p.m. on May 14. A portion of proceeds will benefit Asian American Voices for Education (AAVED), supporting inclusive curriculum initiatives in Georgia schools.

For updates, follow @sweetauburnbbq on Instagram and Facebook

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