Savannah Food & Wine Festival Announces 2014 Lineup

New talent and tickets released for the Savannah Food & Wine Festival, along with new venues for Taste of Savannah.

The 2014 festival is shaping up to be quite an exciting showcase of local and national culinary, wine and spirits talent. Currently experiencing unprecedented growth, the festival is expanding programming, venues and ticket sales for the more popular events – which have already surpassed all sales projections. In addition, national, regional and local sponsors are now coming to the festival and looking for partnership opportunities and sponsorship naming rights. 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 with individual class ticket purchases available or a “Master Pass” ticket for all four master classes and the Winery Cellar Dinner. Savannah’s Connoisseur Wine Dinners are in the process of being finalized and will be announced mid September.

The Savannah Food & Wine Festival kicks-off on Monday, November 10, 2014 with the Bethesda Farm to Table Dinner which will have a Georgia Grown flavor, featuring three Georgia Grown Executive Chefs, including Savannah’s own Roberto Leoci, Leoci’s Trattoria, Jennifer Booker, Chef and Cookbook Author, Atlanta, GA, Holly Chute, Director of the Georgia Grown Executive Chef program and previous executive chef at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion for thirty-three 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 in September.

The Master Class Series at the Mansion begins on Tuesday, November 11, from 1:30 – 3 pm with a Cooking Demo from James Beard Foundation award Rising Star finalist, Katie Button from Curate, Asheville, NC, “Spain for the Holidays”. The series continues on Wednesday, November 12, from 1:30 – 3 pm with “Taste with the Master”, Master Sommelier, Robert Jones. Thursday, November 13 features two classes: the first class takes place from 1:30 – 3 pm with Georgia’s own, chef and author, Virginia Willis will be featuring some Southern favorites, Chef Nico Romo, the youngest Master French Chef from Fish, Charleston, SC will be cooking from 3:30 – 5 pm.

Celebrity Chef Tour, benefiting the James Beard Foundation takes place on Wednesday, November 12 at 6:00 pm at the Mansion of Forsyth Park: featuring James Beard Foundation award-winning and/or recognized chefs: Katie Button, Curate, Asheville, NC; Steven Satterfield, Miller-Union, Atlanta, GA; Kevin Gillespie, Gunshow, Atlanta, GA; and Jay Swift, 4th & Swift, Atlanta, GA 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 Grand Reserve Tasting & Silent Auction, presented by the Big Green Egg takes place on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, along the majestic Riverfront Esplanade of the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. This not-to-miss wine event will feature the festival’s most extraordinary wines sampled in a souvenir glass, 90 points plus and/or retail values of $50+ a bottle. There will also be an opportunity to meet and greet most of the celebrities in town for the festival.

Le Grand Cochon presented by The Local Palate Magazine, will be a fun and lively heritage hog roasting and barbecue taking place riverfront at the Westin Savannah Harbor, following the Grand Reserve Tasting on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 8 pm. The event will feature celebrity chefs Anthony Lamas from Seviche, in Louisville, KY and Linkie Marais, Big Green Egg Executive Chef – both of Food Network fame. Billy Allin of Cakes & Ale in Decatur, GA, Harrison Sapp of Southern Soul Barbecue from St. Simons Island, GA and pit master, Rodney Scott of Scott’s Barbecue in Hemingway, SC, will be showcasing their le porc mouth-watering recipes. Savannah’s own Chris Nason of Sapphire Grill and Wiley McCrary of Wiley’s Championship BBQ will be creating some local big pig favorites. Stella Artois’ Master Beer Sommelier, Marc Stroobandt will be on-hand to pair some of the Best of Belgium beers with the pit master creations.

Epicurean Learning Experiences presented by Sysco and Rioja Wines, USA on Friday, November 14, 2013, 10 am – 5 pm: cooking classes, seminars and demonstrations are sold separately for $40; An all-day, one price Epicurean Pass offers tremendous savings to the Friday, Learning Experiences taking place at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, all 6 sessions for only $145 – a great way to fully experience all of the learning opportunities. Schedule to date includes: “Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking” with Nathalie Dupree & Cynthia Graubart Cooking Demo, 10 am – 11 am; “Cabernet & Beef” with Master Sommelier, Larry O’Brien, Jackson Family Estate & Hunter Cattle Co., 11:15 – 12:15; “South in Your Mouth”, chefs Sallie Ann Robinson, Joe Randall and Virginia Willis, Moderator: Damon Lee Fowler, 12:30 – 1:30 pm; “Bourbonistas” Four Roses Bourbon, Virgil Kaine Bourbon and more, 1:45 -2:45 pm; Chef Linkie Marais, Food Network, Big Green Egg Grilling Demo with Master Beer Sommelier, Marc Stroobandt, Stella Artois brand ambassador – 3 – 4 pm; TBA chef, Big Green Egg Grilling Demo, Pig & Pinot along with Marita Esteva, La Crema National Ambassador – 4:15 – 5 pm.

The River Street Stroll on Friday, November 14 takes place from 5:30 – 7:30 on Rousakis Plaza on magical River Street. Enjoy sipping and strolling with a souvenir GoVino glass at the festival’s most casual wine, spirits and Belgian beer tasting!

Friday, November 14, 2014, the Candlelight Home Tour is a Historic Savannah Foundation home tour through the historic Warren and Washington Wards of Savannah. The Olde World Wine & Dine Experience is a separate event sponsored by the festival following the Candlelight Home Tour, taking place at The Brice, a Kimpton Hotel, where guests will sample fantastic wines and small plates from Pacci’s Italian Kitchen & Bar.

Riverboat Wine & Dinner Cruise, Friday, November 14, 8 pm, join guest celebrity chefs, Shaun Doty, Bantam & Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Atlanta, GA and Billy Allin, Cakes & Ale, Decatur, GA along with Savannah Riverboat Cruises Executive Chef, Christopher Myhre for a fun-filled Southern cruise down the river!

Taste of Savannah, Saturday, November 15, 2014, 1 – 5 pm, with early access at noon for VIP Lounge ticket holders, Ellis and Johnson Squares. Enjoy great Savannah food from some of the best spots in town, hundreds of free wines, spirits, Belgium beers with free unlimited tastings in a souvenir GoVino glass and five free food tokens. Savor a variety of cooking demonstrations, learning experiences, Artisan Market, Celebrity Author’s Tent, Bartender’s Challenge, Waiter’s Race and more.

NEW This Year at The Taste of Savannah: expanded locations to Ellis & Johnson Squares; Best of Belgium Beer Garden; expanded Georgia Grown Village; expanded Big Green Egg Grilling Guru Stage; Atlanta Magazine expanded Celebrity Chef Kitchen, presented by BI-LO; Savannah Magazine Locavore Stage; Savannah Morning News’ VIP Lounge in the center of all of the activities; Savannah Art Association will have en Plein Air artists featured in locations painting throughout the Taste of Savannah.

Savannah Magazine’s Locavore Stage: (located in the Georgia Grown Village): Savannah Magazine’s “Cocktail Quest”, 1:15 – 2 pm; Chef Jean Vendeville, Savannah Technical College, 2:15 – 3 pm; “Local means Fresh”, Georgia Grown farmers and Savannah chefs, 3:10 – 3:50 pm; “Southern Cooking Tribute to Edna Lewis”(original farm to table cooking before it had a name) with Ruth Lewis Smith (Edna Lewis’ sister), Joe Randall, chef and author, Jennifer Booker, chef and author and Paul Fehribach, executive chef and owner, Big Jones, Chicago IL, 4 – 4:45 pm.

Sysco Learning Experiences, presented by WTOC-TV: “Savannah’s Seafood Sustainability” Anthony Lamas, Seviche, KY, Nico Romo, Fish, Charleston, SC, Matthew Roher, The Landings Club, Savannah, GA and George Sedberry, Sanctuary Science Coordinator, NOAA, 1:15 – 2 pm; “So You Think You Can Taste!” with a panel of distinguished winemakers, Master Sommeliers, sommeliers and brand ambassadors (Larry O’Brien, MS, Jackson Family Estate, Lydia Mondavi, Michael Mondavi Family Estate, Dahne Chesson, Rioja Wines, USA, Marita Esteva, La Crema, National Ambassador and Eric Crane, Sommelier, Empire Distributors) 2:15 – 3 pm; TBA – 3:15 – 4 pm; “The Perfect Margarita”, with Sean Land from Tres Agave and United Distributors, Michael Venezia, 4:15 – 5 pm.

Atlanta Magazine’s Celebrity Chef Kitchen, presented by BI-LO: TBA, 1:15 – 2 pm; Hugh Acheson, chef and author, The Florence, Savannah, GA (Athens and Atlanta, GA), 2:15 – 3 pm; Aaron Deal, The River and Rail, Roanoke, VA, 3:10 – 3:55 pm;Virginia Willis, chef & author – 4:10 – 4:45 pm.

Andaz Experience Patron Circle (limited to Patron Circle members only): Lauren Teague,Executive Chef, Andaz Hotel – 12:30 – 1:15 pm; “Taste with the Master”, Larry O’Brien, Master Sommelier with Jackson Family Estates, 1:30 – 2:15 pm; Cynthia Graubart, Cookbook Author – 2:30 – 3 pm; TBD – 3:15 – 4 pm; VIP Meet & Greet Reception – 4:15 – 5 pm.

Big Green Egg Grilling Gurus Stage: Linkie Marais, Food Network/Big Green Egg Executive Chef, 1:15 – 2:00 pm; Roberto Leoci, Leoci’s Trattoria and Pacci’s Italian Kitchen + Bar; 2:15 – 3:00 pm; TBA, 3:15 – 4:00 pm; TBA, 4:15 – 5 pm.
Savannah Morning News VIP Lounge, presented by United Community Bank with special thanks to Rioja Wines, USA – Several winemakers, spirits principals and brand ambassadors, celebrity chefs and more will make appearances throughout the day. Talent Schedule TBA.

Celebrity Author’s Tent– Several celebrity and local cookbook authors will be holding autograph signings throughout the entire day, with talent Schedule TBA.

Barefoot Wine Waiter’s Race – 1:30 pm; Bartender’s Challenge – 3 pm; Culinary Kids Area and Silent Auction taking place from 1 – 5 pm.

Winery Cellar Dinner, Saturday, November 15, 2014, 7:30 pm at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. The dinner will include two guest celebrity chefs: Food Network and James Beard Foundation recognized celebrity chefs include: Anthony Lamas, Seviche, Louisville, KY and Aaron Deal, The River and Rail Restaurant, Roanoke, VA. Westin Executive Chef, Steve Black, who will prepare one course and Chef Jean Vendeville, Southern Technical College, who will prepare dessert. Expect to taste some unbelievable wines with nationally recognized, premier winemakers and wine experts: Rioja Wines, USA, La Crema and Spire Collection will join last year’s vintners, Rob & Lydia Mondavi.

Jazz & Bubbles Brunch, Sunday, November 16, 2014, 12:30 – 3:30 pm at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa; the perfect finale to an outstanding week.

The Savannah Food & Wine Festival takes place throughout Savannah, November 10 – 16, 2014 with local and celebrity chefs and cookbook authors, winemakers, connoisseur dinners, one-of-a-kind culinary, spirits and wine experiences. The most up to date festival information is available on the website www.savannahfoodandwinefestival.com, or find us on Twitter @SAVFoodWineFest #SAVFandW and Facebook at Savannah Food & Wine Festival.