The 2014 Savannah Food & Wine Festival, set for Nov. 10-16, is shaping up to be quite an exciting showcase of local and national culinary, wine and spirits talent.
According to festival co-founder and director Jan Gourley, “It’s really kind of crazy, it seems as soon as we get venues, talent and programming set, another great opportunity presents itself to integrate into planning for the festival. It’s a great problem to have and unbelievably exciting for only our second festival year.”
The festival has just released its most updated schedule, with additional talent and venues still likely to be added. Schedules are subject to change. All tickets have now been released, including the “Master Class Series at the Mansion” cooking demonstrations/wine tastings and the Winery Cellar Dinner. Savannah’s Connoisseur Wine Dinners are in the process of being finalized and will be announced mid-September.
A sampling of events is listed below. Get the complete schedule and buy tickets at www.savannahfoodandwinefestival.com.
• The Savannah Food & Wine Festival kicks-off on Nov. 10 with the Bethesda Farm to Table Dinner. It will have a Georgia Grown flavor, featuring three Georgia Grown Executive Chefs, including Savannah’s own Roberto Leoci of Leoci’s Trattoria; Jennifer Booker, chef and cookbook author, Atlanta; and Holly Chute, director of the Georgia Grown Executive Chef program and previous executive chef at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion for 33 years. Georgia Grown products will be featured in the dinner. Local favorites, Kirk Blaine of Cohen’s Retreat will provide dessert and Executive Chef of Savor Savannah, Debbie Reid, will provide appetizers. Master Sommelier Robert Jones will be on-hand once again to provide his wine expertise.
• The Gas South Savannah’s Connoisseur Wine Dinners will be expanded throughout the entire week and taking place with winemakers, Master Sommeliers and nationally recognized winery talent throughout locations in Savannah, including The Landings Plantation Club, Ruth’s Chris and more. Dinners will be announced later this month.
• The Master Class Series at the Mansion begins on from 1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 11 with a cooking demo from James Beard Foundation award Rising Star finalist Katie Button from Curate, Asheville, N.C., “Spain for the Holidays”. The series continues from 1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 12 with “Taste with the Master,” Master Sommelier Robert Jones. On Nov. 13 features two classes: the first class from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with Nico Romo, the youngest Master French Chef from Fish, Charleston. Georgia’s own, chef and author, Virginia Willis will be featuring some Southern favorites, from 1:30-3 p.m.
• Celebrity Chef Tour, benefiting the James Beard Foundation takes place at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Mansion of Forsyth Park: featuring James Beard Foundation award-winning and/or recognized chefs: Katie Button, Curate, Asheville, N.C.; Steven Satterfield, Miller-Union, Atlanta; Kevin Gillespie, Gunshow, Atlanta; and Jay Swift, 4th & Swift, Atlanta, and host Executive Chef of the Mansion on Forsyth Park, Rich Beichner. Artist Thomas Arvid will be demonstrating his extraordinary skills in a VIP Reception in the Gallery at the Mansion. Several local chefs will be preparing hors d’oeuvres, including Andaz Hotel Executive Chef, Lauren Teague, Roberto Leoci, Leoci’s Trattoria, Kirk Blaine, Cohen’s Retreat and more.
The most up to date festival information is available on the website www.savannahfoodandwinefestival.com, on Twitter @SAVFoodWineFest #SAVFandW and Facebook at Savannah Food & Wine Festival.