Showing posts with label festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label festival. Show all posts

Friday, February 25, 2011

Jekyll Island's Shrimp & Grits Festival Honored at Southeast Festivals and Events Kaleidoscope Awards

 Editor Note:  Ahh, Shrimp & Grits.  This unbeatable combination just conjures up delightful visions of the southeast coastline.  When you go to this festival, be sure to spend some time on Georgia's Golden Isles.  In addition to the mouth watering shrimp and grits, there's plenty of history to enjoy.  After all, you got to get some exercise in so you can enjoy more shrimp and grits!

/PRNewswire/ -- Jekyll Island's Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival received gold honors at the 8th Annual Southeast Festivals & Events Conference. Winning "Best Festival with a budget under $75,000", Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival received highest honors an event can receive at the conference. The winners are selected by members of the event community. Receiving an award distinguishes the Shrimp & Grits Festival as one of the best in the Southeast.

"The quality of submissions continues to go up each year making it more difficult to choose only one winner," mentioned Carolyn Morris, executive director for Southeast Festivals and Events Association (SFEA). "It is a shame that only one can 'win gold.' It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your event or community and award those who have worked hard creating the perfect event or festival. The recognition a festival gets for winning is priceless."

The best and brightest were spotlighted at Southeast Festivals and Events Association (SFEA) Annual Conference through the Kaleidoscope Awards Banquet. Top festivals and events throughout the southeast, such as Jekyll Island's Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the events industry.

"It's amazing to see how much the Shrimp & Grits Festival has progressed within the past 5 years. It has truly become a signature event for the Georgia coast," stated Beth Burnsed, Director of Special Events for the Jekyll Island Authority. "We are thrilled with the growing success of the festival and extremely honored to have been recognized by the SFEA. We look forward to many more years of shrimp and grits on Jekyll Island!"

Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival is a weekend long celebration of Georgia shrimp and southern grits. The event celebrated its 5th year last September and welcomed over 20,000 guests to Jekyll Island.

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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Tickets Now on Sale

/PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (AF&WF) tickets are now on sale for the upcoming Southern epicurean showcase, set to take place in Atlanta on May 19-22, 2011. Founders Dominique Love and Elizabeth Feichter, together with a council of 60 top chefs, sommeliers and tastemakers from 13 states in the region will celebrate the rich food and drink traditions of the South, highlighting culinary personalities ranging from barbecue pit masters and bourbon distillers to local farmers and award-winning chefs such as chef John Besh from Restaurant August in New Orleans and Tim Love from The Lonesome Dove in Fort Worth, TX.

"Guests can sip, savor and learn about Southern food and drink culture from the most talented industry leaders south of the Mason-Dixon," says Feichter. "Not only will the Atlanta Food &Wine Festival honor the region's diverse heritage, but we are proud to share the new and emerging flavors and traditions that make the South simply the most dynamic culinary region in the U.S.," added Love.

The AF&WF will feature more than 200 activities over four days, including tasting tents, seminars, chef demonstrations, theme dinners and special events featuring whole animal roasts, regional craft beer tastings, a variety of Southern barbecue, and fine wines and cocktails from some of the country's top talents. All activities are connected to the festival's three themes: old traditions, new traditions, and imports and inspirations (aka "other Southern").

A sampling of festival events includes: Traditional Southern Supper with Matt Lee & Ted Lee at Miller Union; White Lightnin'— The Story of 'Shine from Distilling Legend and NASCAR Superstar Junior Johnson ; Dry v. Wet Grill Off with Kevin and Kent Rathbun ; Farmer Hall of Fame gala to recognize outstanding regional growers, and a variety of Southern 101 seminars exploring topics from the highly politicized street cart movement to the future of dining in the South. Kevin Gillespie of Atlanta's Woodfire Grill and a Top Chef alum will be curating a special Whole Pig Tent, in which festival-goers will be able to learn roasting techniques and sample all things pork.

The Festival will also boast a number of wine and spirits tastings, featuring products from the region and from other Southern regions around the globe, such as Southern Europe, South Africa, South America and Australia. Beverage seminars include tastings of Chateauneuf-du-Pape by Marc Perrin and a reserve bourbon tasting with Julian Van Winkle of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillers. In addition, Van Winkle will be curating the Festival's landmark Bourbon Tent, which will feature top bourbons from throughout the South.

To ensure that authentic Southern food and traditions are represented, Love and Feichter have created the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Founders Council, a committee of some of the South's best culinary talent, including such notable chefs John Currence from City Grocery in Oxford, MS; Michael Paley from Proof on Main in Louisville, KY; Sean Brock from McCrady's in Charleston, SC; Hugh Acheson from Five & Ten in Athens, GA; and Frank Stitt from Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, AL.

In addition, Southern chef stalwarts, such as Christopher and Idie Hastings from Hot &Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, AL , Kevin Maxey from Craft in Atlanta, GA; Pano Karatassos Jr. from Buckhead Life Restaurant Group in Atlanta, GA; Andrea Reusing from Lantern in Chapel Hill, NC; Kelly English from Restaurant Iris in Memphis, TN; and Duane Nutter from One Flew South in Atlanta, GA, are all part of the Festival's prestigious Founder's Council, the goal of which is to create authentic and compelling experiences for all Festival guests.

Tickets for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival are now on sale and range from $75 for select tastings and events to the $2500 Connoisseur Package, which includes access to the exclusive Connoisseur Track, Connoisseur Lounge and Events, Opening Reception, Tasting Tents, and even early access to all seminars and demos. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com and follow us on Facebook.com/AtlantaFoodandWineFestival and Twitter.com/ATLFoodandWine.

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Friday, September 4, 2009

4th Annual “Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival” to Kick Off Sept. 18

What was once a simple food pairing deeply rooted in the South, Shrimp & Grits has become a menu-must for exclusive restaurants across the country. The only event in the country dedicated to this quintessential Southern dish kicks off Sept 18: “Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival.”

Set in the Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s landmark historic district, the popular festival boasts amateur and professional cooking competitions, shrimp boat excursions, shrimp eating contests, cooking demonstrations, races, entertainment, and much more.

"The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival is a great time to enjoy the beauty of Jekyll Island while dining on delicious coastal cuisine caught right off the Georgia coast," said Beth Burnsed, Director of Special Events for Jekyll Island. "We began the Shrimp & Grits Festival as a way to showcase Jekyll Island and Wild Georgia Shrimp. As more and more restaurants began serving shrimp & grits, we realized that we were at the forefront of a growing trend. We are thrilled to host such a prominent and highly anticipated signature event.”

In celebration, Sept. has been declared “Wild Georgia Shrimp Month” on Jekyll Island and the neighboring Golden Isles, and some of the South’s finest professional and amateur chefs will be competing for the coveted title of “Best Shrimp & Grits” recipes in the country. “Y’all Come!”

Friday, September 18th

$3 Shrimp Sale Night
Set amid Jekyll Island’s picturesque Jekyll Island Club National Landmark Historic District, the festival will kick off on Friday at 5:30 p.m. with a “$3 Shrimp Sample Night.” For only $3 per person participants will have the opportunity to taste recipes from each of the vendors.

Saturday, September 19th

Amateur Cooking Competition

The Amateur Cooking Competition event will offer mouth-watering tasting opportunities of the ten shrimp & grits dishes prepared by aspiring and self-taught cooks throughout the region. Guests can sign-up to be part of the esteemed “Consumer Choice Panel” to taste the dishes and select the winners for a fee of $25.00 per person. The tasting begins at 1:15 p.m. Saturday with music and entertainment provided by the popular “Big Dawg and Paul Show.” Awards will be presented at 2:30 pm.

Chef Robert Rulko Cooking Demonstration

Chef Robert Rulko, Winn-Dixie's Corporate Chef, will present a live cooking demonstration Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Chef Rulko is well-known throughout the entire Southeast, and has worked in kitchens throughout Europe, the Orient and Caribbean. He also had the honor of assisting the White House pastry chef, to supply edible Christmas ornaments for the former President and Mrs. Clinton’s personal Christmas tree.

Shrimp Eating Contests:

Are you a shrimp lover who boasts to out-eat everyone you know? Adults and kids are invited to sign up for one of several free shrimp eating contests going on throughout the weekend. Space is limited for each contest, and interested participants should stop by the Information Tent at the festival to sign up for a contest. Saturday’s contests 1:00 p.m. and
4:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 20th

Professional Cooking Competition

The professional cooking competition will be held on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. with music and entertainment provided for the second time by the “Big Dawg and Paul Show.” Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase delicious shrimp & grits dishes from outstanding local restaurants and vendors, and winners of the Professional Cooking Competition will be named by an esteemed panel of judges at 3:00 p.m.

Chef Joe Randall Cooking Demonstration

Chef Joe Randall, of Joe Randall’s Savannah Cooking School, will host a live cooking demonstration on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Joe Randall is a forty-three year veteran of all things food! He is noted for his capacity to teach, guide and advise others in the practical aspects of food.

Shrimp Eating Contest:

If visitors didn’t have a chance to participate in the free Shrimp Eating contest on Saturday, they have another chance on Sunday. Again, space is limited and they can sign up at the Festival Information Tent. Contests will be held on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Ongoing Weekend Activities:

Free Live Entertainment:

Throughout the weekend the Jekyll Island Club National Landmark Historic District will ring with the musical talents of many favorite local bands, including Straight No Chaser, Smokin’ Section, OSKAR Rockhammer, Stringrays, Randall Bramblett Band, and Three of Us.

Shrimp & Grits 3 Race Challenge:

On Saturday and Sunday, a 3 Race Challenge will take place across three different terrains on Jekyll Island. It will begin with the “Shrimper's 4-mile Beach Course” jog starting at the Jekyll Island Beachdeck on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The next event is “Show Yer Grit” run at the Jekyll Island Great Dunes Golf Course on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. The Race Challenges finishes up with the “Short Flight to Festival 1 Mile” sprint on Sunday at 2:00 pm. Racers will end at the Festival in time to eat! Pre-registration is $15, $45 for the series, and $20 per race on the day of the event.

Popcorn Shrimp Gold Days at the Jekyll Island Golf Course:

Friday through Sunday children 14 and younger play for FREE on any of Jekyll Island's 18-hole golf courses when playing with a paying adult. Children's scorecards can be entered in a drawing for 2 lbs of Wild Georgia Shrimp.

Boating Excursions:
It wouldn’t be a Shrimp Festival without the opportunity to go boating! Throughout the weekend, several opportunities are available:

Trawling Excursion: Take a trip into the coastal marshlands and rivers for a trawling excursion. The captain and crew give a complete presentation of the species caught and give the passengers a chance to touch and feel what is caught. These eco tours depart from the Jekyll Island Wharf, and the cost is $13 for students 9th grade and below and $18 for students 10th grade and above and adults. For more information about trip times and purchasing tickets, call St. Simons Transit Company 635-3152 or visit: www.goldenislesfun.com.

Dolphin Tour: Guests can also experience a once in a lifetime opportunity by taking a 90 minute dolphin tour through the island’s our calm inland waters. The trips begin at the Jekyll Island Wharf, and the cost is $24 adults, $12 for children 10 and younger. For more information about trip times and purchasing tickets, call St. Simons Transit Company 635-3152 or visit: www.goldenislesfun.com.

Shrimp Boat Excursion: Get on board the Lady Jane, a United States Coast Guard certified 49 passenger steel shrimping vessel recently retired after years of loyal service to the shrimping industry. Each cruise includes two hours of shrimping and an onboard shrimp boil. All shrimp boat excursions depart from Spanky’s Restaurant in Brunswick, located on HWY 17. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the trips will be from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. The cost is $39.95 for adults and $25 children 6 and younger. For more information and to purchase tickets call Credle’s Adventures at (912) 265-5711 or visit their website: www.shrimpcruise.com.

Off-Shore Fishing: For a little off-shore fishing during the weekend, hop aboard the 44-foot “Ospo” fishing boat which departs from the Jekyll Island Marina. For more information on cost, times and to purchase tickets, call 270-7474 or visit www.offshore-charters.com.

Become a Shrimp & Grits Festival VIP!
Guests can experience the ultimate Shrimp & Grits Festival weekend by becoming a VIP guest! The VIP package includes 4 tickets for samples at Friday night’s $3 sample night, a gift certificate for a 1/2 lb of fresh Wild Georgia Shrimp from City Market in Brunswick, GA, a 1 lb
bag of grits from Logan Turnpike Mills, and a commemorative Festival Poster signed by the artist. To purchase your 2009 VIP package for just $35, order it online at http://www.jekyllisland.com/shrimpandgrits

Wild Georgia Shrimp Month For Jekyll and The Golden Isles:
September is Wild Georgia Shrimp Month! Visitors can check out the list of local restaurants participating and order their featured Georgia shrimp dish. For more information about Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival, contact the Jekyll Island Welcome Center at
1-877-4-JEKYLL, or visit www.jekyllisland.com/shrimpandgrits.

SHRIMP – N – GRITS

1 lb. Fresh Georgia White shrimp peeled and deveined
1 bundle green onion (diced)
1/2 lb. Andouille sausage or any other sausage you like (spicy)
Flour as needed
White wine to taste
½ squeezed lemon
1 cup Heavy whipping cream
Old Bay seasoning to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

Garlic Butter for Sauté
Soften 1 lb. unsalted butter, 6 oz. bacon fat, 2 tbsp. of minced garlic, 1 tbs. paprika each, ½ tsp. chopped thyme, parsley, oregano
Mix all ingredients together and set aside for later use.

Cheese Grits
Follow recipe on package except use less stock. You want the grits to be tight (stiff) use chicken stock instead of water. Add medium sharp cheddar cheese to taste add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside but keep warm.

In sauté pan add garlic butter you probably have enough to do 2 or 3 batches. Add sausage and onions let sauté, then add shrimp, cream, wine and lemon let cook for 3 minutes. Add Old Bay, salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer then sprinkle flour on top and mix in. Continue doing this until right consistency let it simmer a little while longer to cook out flour taste then ready to serve.

Put grits into bowl top with shrimp mixture ready to eat.

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