SAVOR Food & Wine Festival is expanding!

Tickets for the region's most anticipated culinary event of the year, SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival, are now on sale with exciting new events added to create a week of Southern Arizona culinary experiences. SAVOR brings together the culinary and libation leaders that are establishing Arizona as a sought-after foodie destination. Again this year, over 75 restaurants, chefs, breweries, wine and specialty food purveyors will contribute their masterpieces at the lush and historic Tucson Botanical Gardens on Saturday, February 3, 2017 from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Presented in partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, Local First Arizona, and Tucson Botanical Gardens; all three non-profit organizations strive to educate and promote the beauty and culture of Southern Arizona in their own unique way. 100 percent of all proceeds from the annual SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival benefit the community efforts of Local First Arizona, the Tucson Botanical Garden, and Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance.

As in years past, the 5th year of SAVOR will continue to be one of the state’s most collaborative and creative food-centered events. Unlike other food festivals, SAVOR intentionally focuses on local talent. NEW this year, SAVOR will introduce three additional ticketed events: THE TOAST, SWEET CHARITY and CARNIVAL to provide opportunities to sample even more of the region's outstanding culinary talents and extraordinary local food and drink.

SAVOR: SOUTHERN ARIZONA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

● Date: Saturday, February 3, 2018

● Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

● Location: Tucson Botanical Garden, 2150 N Alvernon Way

● Cost: General Admission Early Bird, $70, and $75 on January 1, 2018

● Online: https://www.saaca.org/savor.html

● Phone: (520) 797-3959 x 105

TALENT

The 2018 SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival is bringing together over 75 of the largest names in local culinary and libation talent and achievement. Some of the confirmed names participating in the 2018 Festival include Chef Ryan Clark from Casino del Sol, Chef Ken Harvey at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, and Chef Issa Moussa from the Lodge at Ventana Canyon. Chefs and purveyors are being updated daily!

Arizona's boutique wine industry is thriving and becoming a significant economic force for the state. SAVOR is proud to showcase award-winning wines from across the state. A preliminary list of committed notable wineries include our title partnership with Quench and Hensley wines, breweries and distilleries. Arizona will remain the focus, featuring local wine-makers, including Caduceus Cellars, Callaghan Vineyards, Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Four Eight Wineworks and Sand-Reckoner Vineyards. A full list of participating wine brands will be launched in early January.

SAVOR WEEK EVENTS

THE TOAST

Honoring Southern Arizona Culinary Leaders & Visionaries

Join us as we kick off the 2018 SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival week events with a celebratory TOAST to honor those who have dedicated their efforts to building a thriving, diverse and rich culinary legacy in our community. THE TOAST will celebrate a distinguished individual whose body of work exemplifies support and dedication to advancing the Southern Arizona Culinary scene. The inaugural celebration, will honor Don Luria, founding President of the Tucson Originals, the Tucson Culinary Festival & Chair, Slow Food Southern Arizona.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

● Date: 10:30am - 1:00pm

● Location: The Lodge at Ventana Canyon, 6200 N Club House Ln, Tucson, AZ 85750

● Tickets: Tickets $70/each include Brunch sampling from area chefs, complimentary sparkling wine toast and featured wine and cocktail pairings. Tickets: $70.00/each.

● More Information: https://www.saaca.org/savorthetoast.html

SWEET CHARITY

It may not be considered the ‘most important meal of the day’ but it’s certainly the one no one wants to forget! From its simple beginnings of fruit and honeycomb to the culinary masterpieces involving liquid nitrogen and real gold dessert is the sweet treat that has never stopped giving. The 5th annual Sweet Charity event features some of the most innovative, creative and sweet chefs in our region. Up to 10 pastry chefs, mixologists and culinary artists will participate in the event. Join us as we celebrate the sweet side of charity, with wine, libation and beer pairings alongside live demos, cake decorating and more at the annual Sweet Charity celebration.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

● Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

● Location: Monark Premium Appliance Company, 3850 W Orange Grove Rd, Tucson, AZ 85741

● Tickets: Dessert samplings along with wine and beer pairings will be offered from local chefs. Tickets: $30.00/each.

● More Information: https://www.saaca.org/savorsweetcharity.html

CARNIVAL AT THE RIALTO

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, GUT Chefs and the Rialto Theatre partner to bring you the official CARNIVAL at the Rialto. The Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday themed charity event, will feature cajun and creole cuisine complete with authentic King Cake, as well as dancing to live music. The Rialto Theatre will come alive with the sounds and sights of the Bayou, to kick off a Tucson themed CARNIVAL event. Attendees are encouraged to dress in the spirit of the celebration!

Thursday, February 1, 2018

● Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

● Location: Rialto Theatre

● Tickets: Tucson's GUT Chefs will present New Orleans style menu samplings along with beer wine and cocktail pairings and live Fat Tuesday themed music.

Tickets: $45.00/each.

● More Information: https://www.saaca.org/savorcarnival.html

ALL SAVOR FESTIVAL PASS

An an all-inclusive SAVOR Week ticket, good for admission to all SAVOR Week events is available for $185!

More details with regard to ticket package benefits and participating restaurants, exhibitors, and entertainment schedule will be announced in the coming months on the website at https://www.saaca.org/savor.html. Official event hashtag: #SAVORTucson. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.