On Wednesday, May 14, Sweet Auburn Barbecue will shut down N. Highland Ave. and fire things up for the first-ever Good Luck Smokeshow, a one-night tasting event honoring Asian American stories, flavors and firepower. Timed to coincide with AAPI Heritage Month, this outdoor celebration brings together acclaimed chefs from across the country to throw down in Atlanta with food, drinks, lion dances, live music and community.
The event will be hosted by Sweet Auburn Barbecue founders Anita and Howard Hsu, siblings, second-generation Chinese Americans and pioneers in Atlanta’s hospitality scene. What started as a family-run food truck in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market has grown into two brick-and-mortar locations and a reputation for redefining what Southern barbecue can be. The Hsus have always led with their roots, and Good Luck Smokeshow is an extension of that legacy: a gathering of chefs who aren’t just making great food but also telling their stories on their own terms.
The event’s lineup will feature culinary talent ranging from James Beard-recognized talent to rising voices, including:
- Nikko Cagalanan (Kultura, Charleston): A 2024 James Beard finalist, Chef Nikko Cagalanan blends his Filipino heritage with fine dining experience to create soulful, inventive dishes. His Charleston restaurant, Kultura, opened in 2023 to national acclaim and was named “South Carolina Restaurant of the Year.”
- Quy Hoang and Robin Wong (Blood Bros. BBQ, Houston): James Beard nominees and Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ honorees, Blood Bros. is led by pitmaster Quy Hoang and brothers Terry and Robin Wong. Their smoked meats are a bold blend of Texas tradition and Southeast Asian flavors, rooted in their Vietnamese and Chinese heritage.
- J Chong (Asheville): Chef J Chong is known for heartfelt, straightforward Cantonese cooking that connects people through food. Through pop-ups and private dinners, she brings an authentic taste of Cantonese cuisine to Western North Carolina. A proud queer Asian activist, J uses both her voice and her food to advocate for LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and AAPI communities.
- Peter Nguyen (Lê Madeline, Boston): Named Eater Boston’s 2024 Chef of the Year, Peter Nguyen brings a fresh, modern perspective to Vietnamese cuisine. His food is rooted in heritage, delivered with precision, and never loses its edge or authenticity.
- Thai Changthong (P Thai’s Khao Man Gai and Noodles, Austin): Born in Bangkok, Chef Thai Changthong brings bold, street-style flavors and deep family roots to every dish. At P Thai’s Khao Man Gai and Noodles, he channels the spirit of Bangkok’s Chinatown with unapologetic, tradition-driven Thai-Chinese cooking.
Local favorites including Leftie Lee’s Bakeshop of Avondale Estates, pop-up Soupbelly, Chef Brian So of Marietta’s Spring, Thai pop-up Salty Smiles, Laotian restaurant So So Fed, and Doraville’s Hapa Kitchen ATL food truck will also be bringing the heat, alongside show stopping performances, rooftop tunes and standout cocktails powered by Minhwa Spirits and Sweet Auburn Barbecue.
Attendees can expect lion dances, kung fu demos, community vendors, and a block full of foodies. Tickets are $125 and include all tastings, drinks, and full access to the experience. They can be purchased at www.sweetauburnbbq.com/events-1/good-luck-smokeshow. A portion of proceeds will benefit Asian American Voices for Education, supporting a more inclusive curriculum in Georgia schools.
