Ah yes, the power of the Southern chicken wing. The guys and gal in charge at Cotton and Rye are now all too familiar. All their award-winning wings have gotten them is an invite to prepare a full dinner at one of the most prestigious spots to do so in America, The James Beard House in New York City.
The quick journey, a few years in the making goes back a couple of years to a chicken wing festival in Atlanta. Summer of 2016. There were a couple of dozen participants at the full-day event, with Savannah’s Cotton and Rye driving away as the winner. I’m sure it made that brutal drive a little more enjoyable with a trophy in the back seat.
Less than a year later, Zach Shultz, Brandon and Kimberly Whitestone were invited to bring their now-famous wings to New York City where they were offered a spot at a “Southern Wing Showdown” at the James Beard House. Yes, quite an honor.
Yeah, they won that one as well.
“While we were there they asked us if we would possibly be interested in hosting our own dinner there sometime.” Brandon says.
Who’s going to say no to that?
It’s nice to be thought of, but you never know if that call will come until it actually does. And it did. Earlier this year, when Cotton and Rye was invited to the Beard House to host a dinner called “Savoring Savannah.” It will be held Thursday, August 9th at the Beard House in New York’s Greenwich Village neighborhood.
What kind of Southern flavor will they bring with them? The menu includes Shrimp and Grits Arancini with House-Cured Bacon, Georgia Shrimp, and Tomatoes as well as Heritage Pork Collar with Charred Peaches, Preserved Tomatoes, Roasted Pickled Carrots, Baby Vegetables, and Peach Jus. Yeah, they are bringing some Savannah to The Big Apple. You can see the full menu here.
And no, there will be no chicken wings.This time.
You can get those here in Savannah where they were so well received, they were eventually added to the Cotton and Rye menu.
Tickets are available to the public if you’d like to make the trip with them. Ticket information and more available here.
# # #
