Saint Simons Island Food & Spirit Festival

Celebrating the Bounty of Georgia’s Golden Isles while raising dollars and awareness for Hospice of the Golden Isles, the only community-based,non-profit hospice serving the area.

October 1-6 at Gascoigne Bluff, Saint Simons Island. 

The events include:

* Pier Village Sip, Taste and Tour  

Tuesday, October 1, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, St. Simons Pier Village

Tickets: $25   Available online or on-site the day of the event.

Stamp your pass and sip a glass! Guests will receive a “Passport to the Pier” with marvelous ports of call throughout the enchanting backdrop of The Pier Village. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Village to experience the local charm of St. Simons while savoring libations and culinary specials at the bars and restaurants. There will be complimentary wine and nibbles in the shops, all with the backdrop of a breathtaking view of the water. Your ports of call include Brogen's, Palmer’s Village Café, The Half Shell and more! The evening will conclude with a closing celebration featuring more specials and fabulous prizes. Ticket price will include a festival t-shirt or cap.

First Bite Kick- Off Reception presented by HunterMaclean

Wednesday, October 2, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm,

Halyards Courtyard 55 Cinema Lane St. Simons Island, GA  31522

Exclusive Event for the Founder's Circle, Patrons, Pearl and Oyster Ticket Package Holders

A Celebratory Cocktail Party to start the festival.  Our Chef and Host Dave Snyder and his culinary team will serve up nibbles and noshes, and craft cocktails and wines will be flowing from the bar.  Bring your bucks as the raffle will be second to none with an array of culinary and beverage prizes, as well as Festival ticket upgrades. 

Southern Soul Barbeque Alfresco Dinner

Wednesday, October 2, 8:00 pm

Southern Soul Barbeque 2020 Demere Road. St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Tickets: $50   

The soul of St. Simons and Barbe  que starts here at this iconic, secret of the south barbeque restaurant. Hosts Griffin Bufkin and Harrison Sapp will guide us through a 4 course craft brew pairing dinner prepared by Chef Comer Smith.  Mackay Cate, Georgia Crown's local Beermeister, will hand-pick the beer selections for the night and tell the story behind each offering.  Limited number of seats available so be sure to get your tickets soon!

Halyards and Tramici Festival Specials

Wednesday, October 2, 55 Cinema Lane, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Reservations encouraged, Halyards: 912-638-9100  Tramici: 912-634-2202

Festival specials offered in addition to their nightly menus.

* Food & Spirits Trivia at Tipsy's*

Wednesday, October 2, 7:00 pm

Tipsy McSway's 1414 Newcastle Street, Brunswick, GA 32520

Home of scrumptiousness and unique menu offerings in the heart of downtown Brunswick, Tipsy’s will be shaking and stirring your epicurean and adult beverage knowledge with food & spirits-focused trivia.  Sharpen your skills before this fun filled evening.  Tipsy's will serve up a special blend of drink and menu items in honor of the Festival.  Open to everyone, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the Festival.

* Maker’s Mark BBQ Pro-Am presented by Sea Island and Southern Soul Barbeque

Thursday, October 3, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Rainbow Island/Sea Island

Tickets: $85

Satisfy your southern soul with a sizzling night of Bourbon, Blues and BBQ! Join the Sea Island BBQ team and Harrison Sapp from Southern Soul Barbeque, as they host fellow pitmaster pros for a smokin' hot evening of sights, sounds and tastes to tantalize every sense. As for the “amateurs,” PGA Tour Professionals will be stationed at every rig in the salty island air, cooking up some fun and mixing and mingling with the guests. The Bourbon? Maker’s Mark, of course. Guests will also have access to an open bar with an array of craft beers, wines and top shelf liquors. Savannah's legendary Eric Culberson Band will provide the Blues and award-winning Salted and Styled blogger Libbie Summers will emcee. Don’t miss this night of Southern fare and flair that promises to serve up some of the best food, drink, and music the South has to offer.

Additional pitmasters feeding the fire: 

·   Jimmy Hagood of BlackJack Barbecue and Food for the Southern Soul and his Big Red Rig from Charleston, SC. 

·   Hailing from Sweet Cheeks Q in Boston, Massachusetts, of Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars’ fan favorite fame, Tiffani Faison.

·   Barbecues favorite Brothers, Justin and Jonathan from Fox Bros. Bar-B-Que in Atlanta

Classes

* A study in Shrimp

Friday, October 4 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm, location TBA

Tickets: $50

Moderated by award-winning journalist Carolyn O'Neil, panelists include chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene, local chef Jason Brumfiel from The King and Prince Beach Resort, and local shrimper Timmy Stubbs of Native Seafood. This deep-thought talk will explore our coastal treasure and includes a guided tasting featuring locally caught Pinks, Whites, and Brownies.

* Reserve Wine Tasting

 Friday, October 4, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Location TBA

Tickets: $50

A guided tasting seminar by Sommelier Jacob Cragg of Sea Island.

* Traversing the Whiskey River; Bourbon Rye and American Whisky

 Friday, October 4, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Location TBA

Tickets: $50

A guided tasting seminar analyzing the nuances of Bourbon, Rye and Whisky.  Your river guides for this fascinating trip will be Byron Banks of Four Roses Bourbon, and Maker's Mark will be sending a Brand Ambassador.

* Cocktail U, Friday Afternoon Mixer

 Friday, October 4, 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm, Location TBA

Tickets: $50

Shake things up at the Festival's Happiest Hour (and a half). Celebrated mixologists Hallie Arnold/The Grocery, Charleston, SC, Arianne Fielder/Seven Lamps, Atlanta, GA and Jackson Holland/The Cocktail Club, Charleston, SC, will feature the hottest mixed drink potions as you tipple your way through bitters, tonics, shrubs and of course, spirits. You’ll have one-on-one lessons (and tastings) and get schooled in all things craft cocktail. 

Friday Night Festival Feast presented by McGinty-Gordon

Friday, October 4, 7:30 pm Halyard's Restaurant, 55 Cinema Lane St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Tickets: $200

For the weekend's most memorable experience, chef Dave Snyder will welcome to his kitchen guest chefs Linton Hopkins of Atlanta's Restaurant Eugene and Holeman & Finch Public House, Sea Island's John Helfrich and St. Simons' own Tom Delaney of Delaney's Bistro and John Belechak from Palmer's Village Cafe.   A cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception will be followed by a 5-course feast.  Wine selections for each course will be skillfully paired by the area's top sommeliers and the dinner will feature the best of Georgia's Golden Isles. Award-winning journalist, Carolyn O'Neil, will be master of ceremonies for the evening and Mayor Bryan Thompson will strike his gavel and lead a spirited live auction.

* Dinner and a Movie

Friday, October 4, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm,The Casino Theatre, St. Simons Pier Village

Tickets: $45 adults, $25 for Kids 6 -12

What could be more appealing than watching the South’s most appetizing, scrumptious, iconic and exemplary foods on a big screen? Step back in time to the original St. Simons Movie House and treat your eyes, and then your taste buds, to PIMENTO CHEESE, PLEASE, a short documentary on one of the South's most unique and popular dishes. The "main course" is The Southern Foodways Alliance feature documentary, PRIDE & JOY, which showcases some of the South’s most beloved food artisans and craftsmen. The experience could only be improved by the mouthwatering images on the screen becoming the night’s real-life cuisine.  Following the screening, guests will gather in the atrium to satisfy their palates with craft libations and a special dinner buffet created by Straton Hall Catering highlighting featured foods from the film.  Our special guest for the evening is Carrie Morey from Callie’s Charleston Biscuits, who will serve up her revered pimento cheese.  Carrie has been featured in Saveur, Food & Wine, Southern Living, The New York Times and Oprah magazine, among other publications. 

The Market presented by Viola’s Market

 Saturday, October 5 10:30 - 4:30pm, Gascoigne Bluff

Open to the Public

Stroll through over 50 tents featuring juried arts, crafts, farm stand and artisan- produced culinary items. We’ll have book signings throughout the day in the Viola's Market tent featuring the Festival's own Ben Galland with Island Time, Carrie Morey and her hot-off-the-press Callie's Biscuits and Southern Traditions, Libbie Summers and her Whole Hog Cookbook and Gena Neely Knox and her 3 books, Gourmet My Way, Southern My Way Simple Recipes, Fresh Flavors, and the new release, Southern My Way: Food & Family. 

Southern Specialties Cooking Class

Saturday, October 5, 10:00 am -12:00 pm, Location TBA

Tickets: $50

A specialty cooking class led by Carrie Morey featuring dishes from her new book, Callie's Biscuits and Southern Traditions. Additional food and cocktail tastings will be served as well. Carrie hails from Charleston, SC and has been featured in Saveur, Food & Wine, Southern Living, The New York Times and Oprah magazine among other publications.

*Kids Cooking Class presented by Southeast Georgia Health System, Wolfson Children’s Hospital

 Saturday, October 5, 6 yrs - 9 yrs 10:00 am -12:00 pm, 10 yrs -15 yrs 12:30 pm -3:30 pm at Gascoigne Bluff

Tickets: $50

Hands-on cooking classes led by veteran cooking class instructor, Marilyn Markle from Southern Season in Chapel Hill NC.  Your pint-sized culinary campers will toss, slice, stir and cook-up their own southern specialties in these action-packed classes, all while we're throwing in a pinch of culture, a dash of history and whole cup of fun. 

Local Flavors Tasting Tent presented by Sea Pak

Saturday, October 5 12:30 - 3:30 pm Gascoigne Bluff Park

Tickets: $45  for 21 and over, $25 for ages 6yrs - 20 yrs

Treat yourself to an afternoon of Southern delicacies under the historic oak canopy in the Local Flavors Tasting Tents. Partake in food and beverage tastings and samplings of local specialties from over 25 restaurants and 40 craft brew and fine wine vendors. Your ticket includes access to the Culinary Creations Cooking Stage presented by Atlantic National Bank where you can view the creation of signature favorites by James Beard Award Winner "Best Chef Southeast" 2012 Linton Hopkins, Top Chef All Stars fan favorite, Tiffani Faison of Sweet Cheeks Q, Gena Knox of Fire & Flavor and Pastry Chef Kurtis Baguley. Your ticket also includes access to the Mixology Tent located just across the way from Gascoigne Park.  Cross into The Market presented by Viola's Market, a unique and delightful place for a stroll featuring high-end juried arts, crafts, farm stand and artisan-produced culinary items. Local musical talents will entertain you around the grounds as you sip, snack, shop and savor.  Nobody under the age of 21 will be allowed in the Mixology or Craft Beer/Wine tents.

* Shrimp Net presented by Southern Soul Barbeque

Saturday, October 5, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm Gascoigne Bluff

Tickets:  Included in Local Flavors Tasting Tent presented by Sea Pak

Activities and entertainment for the younger set. Hands-on arts and crafts, face painting, nature lessons, shell necklaces, cookie decorating and more!

VIP Riverside Sporting Club presented by Elegant Island Living

Saturday, October 5, 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm, Gascoigne Bluff

Tickets: $85

The VIP Riverside Sporting Club presented by Elegant Island Living will be an exclusive festivity spotlighting the best of the Saint Simons Food & Spirits Festival. In addition to the amenities provided in the Local Flavors Tasting Tent presented by Sea Pak, our VIP guests will enjoy upgraded, high-end food and beverages, and televisions will be broadcasting favorite fall sporting events. The Elegant Island Living hospitality area also offers the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with featured culinary talent from the weekend. Additionally, VIP guests have exclusive access to festival grounds 30 minutes prior to opening. If you’re looking to the make the most of your festival experience, the VIP Riverside Sporting Club tickets are a must.

Culinary Creations Cooking Stage presented by Atlantic National Bank

Saturday, October 5, Gascoigne Bluff

Tickets: Included in Local Flavors Tasting Tent presented by Sea Pak and VIP Riverside Sporting Club presented by Elegant Island Living

Cooking demonstrations throughout the afternoon:

1:00: Gena Neely Knox featuring "hot off the press" Southern My Way: Food & Family

1:45: Tiffani Faison of Sweet Cheeks Q and Top Chef/Top Chef All Stars

2:30: Executive Pastry Chef, Kurtis Baguley. Of Sea Island

3:00: Linton Hopkins, Chef/Owner of Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House

* Dine Around with Sea Island

Saturday evening, October 5, Sea Island and The Lodge

Reservations required, 912-638-3611, make sure to mention SSFSF

Sea Island will open their dining outlets to festival guests for this one night only. In addition to the regular dinner menus, a “3 for $30” festival menu will be offered at Tavloa, River Bar, Southern Tide, Oak Room and Davis Love Grill and “4 for $40" festival menu will be offered at The Georgian Room and Colt & Alison.

Spiritual Sunday Brunch

Sunday, October 6, 12:30pm - 3:30pm,  The Delegal Room at The King & Prince Resort 201 Arnold Road  St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Tickets: $75

Wrap up festival weekend with a seated/served brunch featuring libations and menu items from our celebrated guest chefs and mixologists. Start the morning right with a classic Charleston Bloody Mary Mix stirred up by creator, Jackson Holland. Carrie Morey will serve up an array of her piping hot Callie’s Charleston Biscuits, Gena Neely Knox will serve breakfast up "Her Way" with Fire & Flavor-ful planked local fish, and award winning Salted and Styled blogger, Libbie Summers will have the guests praying for more of her "Salvation Cinnamon Rolls.”  Our "mixtresses" Hallie Arnold and Arianne Fielder will be crafting creative morning-after libations. Your spirits will be lifted with our soulful guest singers.  More menu items and guest chefs will be announced soon! 

TICKET PACKAGES:

Patron: $1,500. For our guests who want to support the festival in a prominent way. The Patron Package includes a pair of tickets to all festival events – Sip, Taste & Tour at the Pier Village; First Bite Reception presented by HunterMaclean; Maker’s Mark BBQ Pro-Am presented by Sea Island and Southern Soul Barbeque; Friday Night Festival Feast presented by McGinty-Gordon; VIP Riverside Sporting Club presented by Elegant Island Living (which includes the Local Flavors Tasting Tent presented by Sea Pak and the Culinary Creations Cooking Stage presented by Atlantic National Bank); Spiritual Sunday Brunch. You will receive 4 tickets to a class(es) of your choice. Patrons will have reserved parking at the festival and will be invited to exclusive events throughout the year. 

VIP Pearl Ticket Package: $625. The Pearl VIP Package includes 1 ticket each to: Sip, Taste & Tour; at the Pier Village; First Bite Reception presented by HunterMaclean; Maker’s Mark BBQ Pro-Am presented by Sea Island and Southern Soul Barbeque; Friday Night Festival Feast presented by McGinty-Gordon; VIP Riverside Sporting Club presented by Elegant Island Living (which includes the Local Flavors Tasting Tent presented by Sea Pak and the Culinary Creations Cooking Stage presented by Atlantic National Bank); Spiritual Sunday Brunch . You will receive 3 tickets to class(es) of your choice.

The VIP Oyster Ticket Package: $300. You will receive 1 ticket each to: Pier Village Sip, Taste & Tour; First Bite Kick-Off Reception presented by HunterMaclean, Maker's Mark BBQ Pro-Am presented by Sea Island and Southern Soul Barbeque, Dinner & a Movie, VIP Riverside Sporting Club presented by Elegant Island Living (which includes the Local Flavors Tasting Tent presented by Sea Pak and the Culinary Creations Cooking Stage presented by Atlantic National Bank). You will receive 1 ticket to a class of your choice.