Meanwhile as movies are being filmed and cruise themed dinners are being served on Tybee, only sixteen miles away, the Savannah Food and Wine Festival is being prepared to knock the socks off it’s guests. We are giving a hand in marketing endeavors with our friend, entrepreneur and chef, Jeremy Diehl at Savannah Bloody Mary Mix.
The first night of the four day food fest was a roaring 20’s Speakeasy themed night at the rustic Savannah Railroad museum roundhouse. Michael Owens, president of the Savannah Food and Wine Festival share his excitement with us as escorted us to the tent lit up under the stars as Jeremy was setting up to pour tastings of his secret recipe.
I brought my daughter Kyleigh to assist me with lighting and carrying my gear, what a fun working date night with my girl! We were able to sample the offerings from top chefs in Savannah. Kurtis and Sarah Schumm of Tybee Fish camp had delightful vats of soup. I am really hoping these will be featured on their regular menu because the crab stew with toasted pistachio and smoked tomatillo was out of this world, and I can’t wait to get a full bowl of it.
A favorite for both Kyleigh and myself, were the shrimp tacos presented by Chef Kelly Yambor of Elizabeth’s on 37th. Sweet tender bites of local shrimp served on top of crispy fried parmesan “taco” shells. Ahhhmazing!!
Kyleigh was most enamored by the giant barrel cake. We talked to chef Davey Crockett from the Jesse Blanco hosted food show, “Eat it and Like it” booth. He told us that he had spent over 40 hours laboring over this cake. Hand carving each line of wood grain into the sweet fondant to simulate a wooden barrel. The cake looked so authentic that until he cut into it and served slices of moist chocolate cake, several guests mistakenly thought it was a real wooden barrel and tried to set their drinks on it.
The evening carried on with jazzy sounds from my friends Daniel, Rachel and Ben three of the most talented musicians in Savannah.
Friday night was time to load up the van with friends and buddies from Tybee and head to Savannah for a fun concert at the beautifully restored Lucas Theatre. Before taking in the eclectic entertainment of the Packway Handle Band and the sounds of Velvet Caravan, we indulged in a variety of oysters and mouth watering appetizers at Sorry Charlie’s on Congress St. I love that Savannah is filled with such wonderful restaurants, all within walking distance to terrific events and a variety of entertainment.
I started to wrap up my week of eating blog post after eight days of food, but then I realized I had two more food filled event nights on my schedule before the weekend is over. So I might as well make it a three part blog post instead of two.
On my ninth day of food, true Tybee community style hospitality shined like a beacon of light as we gathered at the American Legion Post 154 on Tybee with several of the 135 families that were hosted throughout the island at minimal or no charge. It’s Tybee’s way of giving back to our country’s service men and women and their families who have sacrificed so much to protect us. The Legion was packed with more food than people as homemade recipes from macaroni and cheese, baked ham, bean salads and every dessert under the sun were lined up side by side ready to nourish our souls and tantalize our taste buds.
Sunday afternoon we went to an adoption celebration shower for our Pastor’s family. Andy and Kate will be bringing their second son home from Ethiopia in the coming months, hoping for sooner than later. Our church family wanted to surprise The Blair family by celebrating in true southern style with a low country boil and oyster roast at our friends Holly and Katie’s house. Holly is a park ranger and this house is located within the property at Skidaway Island park. This was our first time there. What a beautiful location for an outside party and celebration! A view of the marsh as the sun was setting was just breath taking.
After picking and peeling shrimp, feasting on corn on the cob, sausage and potatoes… Holly announced that there were oysters ready to be shucked that just came off the grill.
Ava, my youngest daughter (11) let me know that this was going to be “the night”. She had never eaten oysters,but now being a girl raised in the south, it was about darn time! After her first bite she was hooked! She even decided to ask our friend Isaac help her shuck and eat a raw one from the iced cooler. Then she was off to assist Brad in his first raw oyster eating too.
After nine days of pure Southern culinary delight, I think I need to take a whole week off of eating just so I can still fit in my jeans this winter!
I hope that my non-Savannah friends that are reading this can come and experience this wonderful southern hospitality soon!