It all started, really, with a casual conversation in November of 2012. For perspective I will offer two paragraphs of background.
I was in attendance at an event held in Savannah every year back then called “A night in Old Savannah” at the Convention Center. It was the closest thing, really, that we had to a true “Taste of Savannah” type of event. At the time, Eat It and Like It was just over a year old and I was curious about all of the food.
The offerings were good, but I knew Savannah’s food scene was better than what was being represented that night. At one point in the evening, I asked Michael Owens, President of the Tourism Leadership Council why Savannah hadn’t pursued a true Food and Wine Festival.
“That’s a very good question.” He said. “I think we should.”
The next 6 months were a blur, until I was told that there would be a Savannah Food and Wine Festival in November 2013. I was then asked if I would participate in the first of a series of promotional events to raise awareness for this brand new venture.
The bright idea? Let’s have a cooking challenge. “Jesse the Amateur” vs Roberto Leoci “the Professional” We will hold it in the backyard at Roberto’s restaurant. 606 Abercorn street downtown Savannah.
My initial reaction? “Are you kidding me?” I said “Surely you cannot be serious. I have no chance.”
“Ohhhhhh, c’mon. Be a sport!” They said. “It’s all in good fun.” they said.
The format was simple. Three courses (paired with wine) for about 75 paying customers. Then the guests would vote on each course. If you win 2 out of 3 courses, you win the evening. Pretty simple. I knew I had no chance, but I was at least going to give it a shot. My guess was I’d lose 3-0. Roberto is a great talent and respected professional in the community. Tapping in to my Spanish background and knowing Savannah’s desire for seafood I came up with 3 courses:
Caldo Gallego (Spanish White Bean Soup)
Arroz con Mariscos
Chocolate Caramel Flan with a Raspberry Couli
The main course (Rice and Seafood) was more stir fry than paella. I made my own seafood stock from scratch to give the yellow rice a true taste of the sea. I don’t recall what Roberto prepared. I spent 90% of my time that day by myself in a production kitchen across the street from Leoci’s restaurant. Doing it all. Obviously, the soup was made the day before, but everything about my seafood was fresh. Nothing was frozen.
After two courses I was told we had a tie. It would come down to dessert. I was shocked that I was still in the game, but I knew we now had a chance. I say we because my wife Sheila (the dessert maker in the house) had been testing and doing flan dry runs for weeks. This flan was absolutely perfect.
She just had to make 75 of them.
When the show was over, I was voted the winner and handed a golden boxing glove. To execute the boxing analogy one more time, I had a punchers chance to win this thing and I nailed it. Roberto is a professionally trained chef and an expert in his field. I like to cook. Beginners luck? Perhaps, but I retired undefeated on July 24, 2013.
A couple of days later, I hung the boxing glove on a column in my kitchen as a reminder of a wonderful night in Savannah. For everyone. Our guests in attendance, the Savannah Food and Wine Festival and of course Eat It and Like It. The glove has been there ever since. Seven years ago this weekend.
The 1st Savannah Food and Wine Festival was held a few months later. November 11-17, 2013.
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