You’ve gotta forgive me for getting a little bit out in front of my favorite time of the year. While we’ve been grinding through the heat and humidity of Summer, my calendar for the Fall has started to fill up like grapes in a barrel at harvest time. There isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room during Autumn. But if you give the landscape a quick glance now, you can put yourself in position to Eat It and Like It for the next three months along with us. It promises to be a fantastic time. Keep in mind that there are a number of great events this particular Labor Day weekend that are going on, like Bacon on River Street and Beer at the Trade Center, but we talked about those two weeks ago. I’ll be down there of course, but this week, just consider me to be “Jesse your Cruise Director” through a very busy season. It’s not a bad idea to start blocking out your own calendars now.
We will get to the 3rd Savannah Food and Wine Festival later on in the season, but it isn’t too early to give some thought to purchasing tickets. I’ve had a front row seat for a lot of the discussion and planning for this year’s festivities, running November 9th through the 15th and trust me when I tell you, every single effort is being made to make this year’s festival the best one to date. Here’s a sneak preview: There will be an event Eat It and Like It is heavily involved in producing. If you enjoyed our Foodie Awards back in May, then you will love this. November 12th, but more on that down the road. Tickets are, however available now. In the short term, Savannah Technical College is holding an event on September 24th as a precursor to all of the Food and Wine Festival fun.
Bistro Savior Interactif sounds incredibly fancy, but I am told it was a whole lot of fun last year. I was unable to attend but I heard all about it. There were several courses, cooking demonstrations and explanations, and even some recipe sharing. “Interactif” is just Chef Jean Vendeville’s way of saying “interactive.” He’s French, you know. Seriously speaking, the event features some fantastic food paired with some wonderful wines. The event is held in partnership with the Savannah Food and Wine Festival and benefits The Patrick Ansley Williams Foundation for Culinary Students at Savannah Tech. Last year they raised $22,000 for the event.
October brings you a couple of different events around town. Two of the more popular events down on River Street, believe it or not, are happening in consecutive weeks this year. Octoberfest is always a huge deal on the River. I’m told it is the second highest attended River Street event after St Patrick’s Day. That’ll tell you. Last year, I think I saw enough brats to circle the moon. Of course there are the Weiner Dog Races and all the fun that goes along with them. One week later on the 10th, Fiesta Latina sambas on to the Riverfront. I’ve mentioned it in this space before, and I will mention it again. When the weather cooperates, this is an outstanding event. I like to joke that I am one of only about seven Cubans in the area, but the turnout for this is outstanding ever year. Yeah, a lot food and dancing all day long, but hey, that’s what we do. Equally as important, it is a great way to sample foods from all over Latin America. In years past I’ve seen Puerto Rican food, Peruvian, Ecuadorian and things you won’t typically find in a restaurant around town. A fantastic opportunity to sample the foods and the cultures that make up the American melting pot. A couple of other great events in our area during October include the Ogeechee Seafood Festival in Richmond Hill and the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival. They are on opposite ends of the seafood spectrum, but equally as enjoyable. Just depends on if you want to put down some fried Oreos or Snickers bars while the kids enjoy the midway rides, or if you’d like to walk amongst art galleries with a beer in hand, dance in the middle of the street in Old Town Bluffton and enjoy some great food. And, oh by the way, let’s keep in mind that Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so there are likely to be a few more tricks and treats on area streets.
Finally, I’m going to end our time together with a bit of a curve ball. It promises to be a great event and it is open to the public, so I thought I’d share. On October 15th, some of the best chefs in the State of Georgia will be whipping up a storm at the James Beard House in New York City. If you are follow this stuff very closely then you know that the James Beard Foundation is about a big as it gets when it comes to America’s culinary scene. Well that night, a number of chefs from around the state, including Kyle Jacovino from The Florence, will be putting on a show for Georgia Grown and sharing the quality ingredients this state has to offer with a New York City audience. Clearly, I realize that this isn’t something that you just jump up from your recliner and say “let’s go!” It is, however, a huge honor for any chef to be invited to cook there. It is worth mentioning with our audience in the event you may find yourself in New York City the second week of October. I’ll be there, I cannot wait. For more information visit jamesbeard.org
Busy, busy, busy around here these days. I’ve been a little calendar heavy the last couple of times out, but a good many events in our area deserve your attention. There are so many fantastic ways to Eat It and Like It, not just in restaurants, but on the street. Speaking of restaurants, beginning next week we are going back inside to meet some of the names and faces that make the food scene in this area what it is. Enjoy.
See you on TV.
Jesse
