THE GATHERING
Join us August 28-30, 2026 for an immersive culinary experience including special collaborative meals, craft demonstrations, food and beverage tastings, panel discussions, and more.
Our annual culinary and beverage event is back for another year of celebration! Created to highlight the connection between chefs, farmers, and makers, The Gathering will be held August 28-30, 2026!
Khaled AlBanna and Raven Humphry of Calliope, April Franquenza of High Hampton, and Tyler Trainum will join RT Lodge Executive Chef Trevor Stockton and Pastry Chef Caitlyn Cox to create collaborative and immersive dining experiences at RT Lodge all weekend long.
In addition to enjoying incredible meals each night, our weekend package includes a foraging excursion lead by local expert Shannon Walker of Harper Bros. General Store and admission to curated daytime experiences including industry panel discussions, exclusive cocktail experiences and tastings by Tiana Saul of Chattanooga Whiskey, and a special brunch on Sunday morning.
A portion of all ticket sales from The Gathering will benefit Southern Smoke Foundation.
full weekend package
Weekend packages include overnight accommodations at the Lodge Friday-Sunday, all meals - including two incredible dinner experiences by Chef Trevor Stockton, guest chefs and beverage experts, beer, wine, and specialty cocktails provided for meals throughout the weekend, and admission to thoughtfully curated weekend activities such as exclusive alcohol tastings, craft demonstrations, fireside chats, panel discussions with esteemed industry professionals, and brunch on Sunday morning
Double occupancy | $895 + tax* per person
(*2 ticket minimum for double occupancy)
Single occupancy | $1250 + tax per person
A limited number of porch and balcony room upgrades are available
Southern Smoke Foundation, a national nonprofit that supports the food and beverage (F+B) industry through emergency relief funding and access to mental health services, is launching its mental health program, Behind You, in Tennessee this summer 2024. In partnership with East Tennessee State University's Behavioral Health & Wellness Clinic, SSF will provide access to no-cost counseling to anyone in the F+B industry throughout the state of Tennessee. To apply for emergency relief funding or mental health services or to support Southern Smoke’s programs, visit southernsmoke.org.
A portion of all ticket sales from The Gathering will benefit Southern Smoke Foundation.
Featured Guests
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Khaled AlBanna
Chef Khaled AlBanna is the chef and co-owner of Calliope, a modern Levantine restaurant and bar in Chattanooga, TN. Born and raised in Amman, Jordan, he developed his passion for cooking at a young age under his mother’s guidance, gaining a deep appreciation for regional ingredients and flavors. After studying Civil Engineering at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he shifted to pursue his culinary calling, becoming Executive Chef at Whiskey Thief and Whitebird Restaurant at The Edwin Hotel before co-founding Calliope in 2021. His cuisine blends Levantine roots with Southern influences and global inspiration, earning him recognition as an emerging chef, including an invitation as an honoree chef at the James Beard House’s Iconoclast Dinner.
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Raven Humphry
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April Franquenza
April Franqueza discovered her love of baking at a young age in Northern Virginia, creating treats with her family for birthdays and holidays. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, earning both associate and bachelor’s degrees, where she also met her husband, Scott Franqueza. Her career took her to Nice, France, where she honed her skills in traditional French pastry, followed by roles at renowned New York institutions including Jacques Torres Chocolate and Magnolia Bakery, before joining the pastry team at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain. Known for her creativity and precision, April was a 2025 James Beard Awards nominee for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and has appeared on the TODAY show, continuing to draw inspiration from both her craft and her life outside the kitchen with her family.
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Tiana Saul
Tiana Saul began her career with Chattanooga Whiskey in 2015 as Assistant Manager at the Experimental Distillery before joining the production team in 2017, where she spent four years contributing to nearly every aspect of the process. She later focused on new product development, creating innovative expressions—including barrel-aged gins and infused liqueurs—that helped define the Experimental Single Batch Series, while also shaping acclaimed releases like the Finishing Series and Bottled in Bond Vintage Series. In 2023, she became the company’s second Head Distiller, succeeding founding distiller Grant McCracken, and now leads production across both Chattanooga distilleries, overseeing the full grain-to-glass operation.
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Shannon Walker
Shannon Walker is the proprietor of Harper Bros General Store, bringing a deep-rooted appreciation for Appalachian foodways and heritage to his retail venture. Before opening the general store, he spent years at Blackberry Farm as the farm’s Preservationist and beekeeper, crafting local preserves, pickles, jams, and honey, steeped in traditions learned from his family and the Smoky Mountains region. At Blackberry Farm, he became known for capturing regional flavors thronal harvesting, foraging, and artisanal preservation At Harper Bros, he now blends that passion for craft food, local sourcing, and Appalachian culinary heritage to curate goods that celebrate the culture and community of eastern Tennessee.
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Tyler Trainum