Food Festival week is upon us. Savannah’s best week in food. If you are keeping score at home this is the 6th annual Savannah Food and Wine Festival, one of the most anticipated events of the year in this region. We get visitors from all over the South here in Savannah eager to enjoy a few bites and sips of what our city has to offer.
It’s going to be another spectacular week in Savannah. You can maximize your experience by guiding yourself with this 5 helpful tips:
*GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY – Last year was the first time every single event for the week sold out. Across the board. Great for business, but it can lead to some disappointment if you don’t plan ahead. During the Secret Savannah Speakeasy last year I was told “Taste of Savannah is probably going to sell out.” By Friday all of those tickets were gone. There were quite a few walk ups on Saturday morning looking for tickets but there weren’t any to be had. If your friend has tickets but you don’t, plan on nothing being available at the door. I’m guessing by ‘game time’ there will be nothing left. See a complete list of what is available here.
*FESTIVAL DOESN’T AFFECT REGULAR RESTAURANT BUSINESS – If you are not participating in any of the events this week, then you probably aren’t reading this, right? Still, it is worth mentioning, because not everyone understands how the week works. Restaurants across town are open for regular business hours as normal. Yes, even the ones who are participating in any number of festival events. We’ve been asked in the past how the festival changes wanting to go out to dinner in Savannah this week. It does not. it is business as usual at your favorite spot. There are no parades, or barricades or ‘festival zones’ except for the Georgia Railroad Museum.
*EVENTS/TASTINGS/DEMOS ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL PRICE RANGES – The Savannah Food and Wine Festival isn’t all about high end tickets and fancy pants dinners and/or parties. Not at all. You can participate in the Master Class series, for example, for as little as $45. Those are in a more intimate setting, with samples of wine, food and more. Other events exist in the $50-60 price range.
*ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME AND ARRIVE EARLY AT TASTE OF SAVANNAH – For starters, as we mentioned, get your tickets early. This will very likely sell out. That will also save you from having to wait in line on Saturday morning. The internet is an amazing thing. Use it. Show up with a printed out ticket in hand. You will thank me later. Also, the event is 1pm until 4pm. My advice is get there early and enjoy the food and drink at a much more leisurely pace than arriving halfway through. Seeing all there is to enjoy is better 1pm-2:30pm is a much more enjoyable experience than 2:30pm until it closes at 4pm. The event as a whole is always great, but early birds get not only worms but smaller crowds.
*EVENTS CONTINUE SUNDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING – Traditionally, the festival wraps up at the Westin for a wonderful champagne brunch on Sunday morning. This year there is one more event poolside at the brand new Alida Hotel. It’s the East Meets West BBQ event which will feature a couple of different BBQ masters squaring off with a few different BBQ styles. Find more information and tickets here.
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