2nd Annual Savor CT at the Connecticut Convention Center

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Savor CT in Hartford at the CT Convention Center

This weekend marked the 2^nd Annual Savor CT, a three-day celebration of wine, food, and spirits, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT.

This event featured some of the world’s finest spirits, premier wines, craft beers and artisan food. Sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino, Savor CT is truly a food and beverage nirvana!

The Savor Grand Tasting also showcased some top talent in the culinary industry including Savor's host, Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant: Impossible on Food Network, James Beard nominee Chef Elizabeth Falkner, and Mary Ann Esposito, star of PBS's Ciao Italia. In addition, regional chefs, celebrities in their own right, were on hand giving demos or representing their local restaurants.

The Grand Tasting was all-inclusive and we were able to sample some amazing dishes, wines, craft beers and spirits.

In addition we got to see a wide array of chefs demonstrate some of their signature recipes and share some of their best tips and hints! Robert Irvine was his usual funny self,  and Mary Ann Esposito is as warm and welcoming in person as she is on television.

On Saturday evening we attended the Savor in Style Charity Gala, hosted by Robert Irvine, where we were able to experience some of the best of the best! Most items, including desserts, included suggested pairings!

We had such a great time at Savor and we are already looking forward to Savor III! As soon as dates and times are announced we'll be sure to share the news with you!

For more information visit Savor at www.savorct.com

Savor Gives Back: Savor is a proud supporter of the Robert Irvine Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that honors the men and women defending our country.

About the Connecticut Convention Center: This venue boasts a dramatic riverfront setting overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River at Adriaen’s Landing. The Convention Center is Connecticut’s premier meeting venue and the largest full-service convention facility between New York and Boston also features exceptional highway access at the crossroads of New England, where Interstates 84 and 91 meet.

For additional pictures visit the Home Place facebook page HERE

and while you're there, don't forget to "like" us!

Disclaimer: I was invited to Savor by members of the event's management and marketing staff, however all views and opinions are my own.

Robert Irvine at Foxwoods' Vue 24 for Savor CT

Foxwoods Resort Casino and Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine 

Kick Off the Second Annual Savor Event

Savor: A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Spirits.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Foxwood's newest restaurant, Vue 24, to meet with Chef Robert Irvine, celebrity chef and host of Foxwood's upcoming Savor CT, a three-day food and wine culinary celebration!

Chef Irvine was welcomed by members of the Foxwoods Resort Casino’s culinary and leadership team, Adam Odegard, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Executive Chef Edward Allen, Executive Pastry Chef Franck Iglesias and Felix Rappaport, President and CEO. In addition members of the Hartford's CT Convention Center welcomed Savor back, and Plan B announced their sponsorship of  an exclusive dinner and tasting during Savor CT.

Vue 24, located on the 24th floor of the Grand Pequot Tower, features exquisite Continental-based cuisine with a modern flair. In addition, the restaurant offers stunning panoramic views of the south east Connecticut countryside.

Savor is a supporter of the Robert Irvine Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that honors the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces. Local military members and veterans were also in attendance to help launch this year’s event. Savor will once again donate a portion of event ticket sales to the foundation.

Photo Courtesy of Foxwoods

I would be remiss if I didn't show a sampling of Vue 24's luncheon offerings during our visit, which are also a preview of some of the amazing types of fare that Savor CT exhibitors will feature.

Vue 24 Fingerling Potato and Hericut Vert Salad

Vue 24 House Cured Salmon Salad

Vue 24 Salad

Vue 24 Watermelon and Tomato Salad

Vue 23 Yogurt Shooters

Desserts

Savor will once again be THE event of the season with chef demonstrations and tastings from some of Connecticut's premier dining destinations. See a list of sponsors and exhibitors HERE

More about Savor CT for 2016

When: April 7 – 9, 2016

Where: Connecticut Convention Center
Savor will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center which boasts a dramatic riverfront setting overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River at Adriaen’s Landing. Connecticut’s premier meeting venue and the largest full-service convention facility between New York and Boston also features exceptional highway access at the crossroads of New England, where Interstates 84 and 91 meet.

Savor the Legends: Thursday, April 7, 2016

A Kentucky style soiree and taste all five years of Pappy! Plan B kicks off the Savor weekend with a delicious Kentucky inspired menu, bourbon cocktails and more. Don’t miss this legendary night presented by Plan B!

Savor’s Grand Tasting: April 8 & 9, 2016

A two-day celebration that will spotlight top talent in the culinary industry including Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant: Impossible on Food Network. Chef Irvine will be joined by other celebrated chefs and world renowned vintners sharing their expertise. Tickets to The Grand Tasting are all-inclusive, where guests will sample bold cuisine, stylish wines, world-craft beers and the leading trends in inspired spirits. A fantastic line-up of chefs will perform on the Savor Culinary Demonstration Stage and share their signature recipes and trade secrets with you!

Savor in Style Charity Gala: April 8, 2016

Hosted by Robert Irvine, will feature some of the nation’s top chefs and highly successful regional chefs paired with well-respected winemakers. Following a Champagne Reception, these masters will lavish guests with their sumptuous creations, where every dish will be paired with an exceptional wine or other luscious libation. Don’t miss your chance to see artistic genius up-close!


Connecticut Convention Center
100 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06103

Get Tickets Here: https://www.showclix.com/event/SavorinStyleCharityGala

About Foxwoods

Foxwoods Resort Casino is the premier resort destination in the Northeast. As the largest resort casino in North America, Foxwoods offers a vast array of gaming in six casinos; AAA Four-Diamond hotels, restaurants from gourmet to quick service, world-renowned spas, award-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, and exclusive retailers. Perfect for both recreation and business, Foxwoods provides modern and versatile convention and meeting space to infuse new life into any meeting or event. Foxwoods Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. For a comprehensive look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.

Savor CT New Event - Savor the Legends

Savor – A Celebration of Wine, Food & Spirits 

Announces a New Event: Savor the Legends  

Plan b presents an EXCLUSIVE opportunity to taste five years of Pappy Van Winkle!

Photo Courtesy Plan b

That's right! Savor CT adds a NEW event to this year's fun weekend lineup!

Savor, A celebration of Wine, Food & Spirits presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino, announced this week that Plan b will present a new Savor event, Savor the Legends.

This EXCLUSIVE event will offer guests the unique opportunity to taste five years of the very rare, legendary Pappy Van Winkle bourbon.

Savor’s host chef for the weekend is Robert Irvine from the Food Network’s show, Restaurant: Impossible.

Savor the Legends will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center on Thursday, April 7 from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

• Bourbon Passports (tickets) for Savor the Legends are $125 and include:  
• A taste of five limited and rare batches of Pappy Van Winkle, aged 10-, 12-, 15-, 20- and 23-years 
• A special gift -- handmade, crystal Johnson’s Whiskey Tot  
• Mingle with Robert Irvine 
• Plan b’s award-winning bourbon cocktails  
• Plan b’s Kentucky-inspired menu with Kentucky ham, hot browns, fried green tomatoes, BBQ pork, mini burgers, pecan pie and more 
• A live DJ 

A portion of Savor’s proceeds will be donated to the Robert Irvine Foundation (ChefIrvine.com/foundation), a not-for-profit organization that honors the men and women defending our country. The foundation’s mission is to support individuals and organizations committed to enriching the lives of our military personnel, and to create awareness throughout the community of the sacrifices made by those defending our freedom.

“To be able to taste five years of Pappy is an incredible opportunity for Savor guests;” said Vicky Cirilli Event Director for Savor, “it fits right in with Savor’s mission to offer guests only the highest quality wine, food and spirits.” 

Photo Courtesy Plan b

“Bourbon lovers will get to taste some batches that are very, very difficult to find, while supporting our local and fellow restaurants and non-profits like the Robert Irvine Foundation. It’s a win-win for everyone – good food, good booze and a good cause,” says Lena DiGenti, Chief Strategy Officer for Plan b. 

Tickets are on sale now at: Showclix.com/Event/savor-the-legends.

About The Connecticut Convention Center: 

The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford is the state's premier meeting venue and the largest full-service convention facility between New York and Boston. Overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River, it features 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 25,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as ample sheltered parking. The venue is professionally managed for the State of Connecticut by Waterford Venue Services, an affiliate of Waterford Hotel Group. For more information, visit CTconventions.com.

About Foxwoods Resort Casino: 

Foxwoods Resort Casino, the presenting sponsor of Savor, is one of the premier hotel, gaming, shopping and entertainment destinations in the Northeast. As the largest resort casino in North America, Foxwoods offers a vast array of gaming in six casinos; AAA Four-Diamond hotels, restaurants from gourmet to express, world-renowned spas, awarding-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, and exclusive retailers. Perfect for both recreation and business, Foxwoods provides modern and versatile convention and meeting space to infuse new life into any meeting or event. At Foxwoods, you can be anyone and do everything with endless possibilities of experiences that are Anything but Ordinary.

Foxwoods Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

The Mashantucket Pequots are a native Algonquin people in Southeastern Connecticut known for their “Pequot spirit of survival.” Since opening one of the first Native American gaming halls in the country in 1986, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) has also developed a host of lucrative economic ventures including the Lake of Isles Golf Course and the Spa at Norwich Inn. The MPTN is one of Connecticut’s highest state tax payers and largest employers. The Tribe provides significant financial contributions to state and local nonprofit organizations that support neighboring communities. For a comprehensive look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.

About Plan b:  

Plan b was founded in 2006 by Al Gamble and Shawn Skehan. The award-winning, all-American burger, bourbon and beer bar provides a sophisticated dining experience in an upbeat, relaxed, neighborhood environment. There are nine locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington D.C. and Virginia.

Plan b offers fresh, never frozen beef that is ground in-house daily like old world butchers have done for centuries. All beef is hormone-free and antibiotic-free, fed a 100% vegetarian diet, fully raised in the U.S. and source verified. Plan b is also widely recognized for their extensive bar offerings, specializing in American boutique bourbons and hand-selected craft beers with certified Cicerones (beer sommeliers) on staff. For more information, please visit thebonline.com.

Savor - Celebrating Wine Food and Spirits Returns to Hartford in April 2016

SAVOR – A CELEBRATION OF WINE, FOOD & SPIRITS RETURNS TO HARTFORD IN 2016

Tickets go on Sale Thursday, November 5, 2015.

Foodies and lovers of fine wine and spirits are invited to gather for the second annual Savor – A celebration of Wine, Food & Spirits, presented by Foxwoods® Resort Casino.

When:      On Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, 2016
Where:     Connecticut Convention Center
                 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103

The Convention Center will be filled with exquisite wines, distinctive dishes and incredible spirits.


Savor kicks off on Friday evening April 8th with its Grand Tasting and continues on Saturday with a second session. This two-day celebration features samplings of signature dishes of Connecticut’s leading chefs alongside a seemingly endless variety of highly sought-after wine, the world’s finest craft beers and superior spirits – all are included in the single cost of admission. Stroll through the impressive spread or relax in a series of spirit lounges to fully savor the experience.

Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant: Impossible on Food Network will return to Savor as host chef for the second year.

Chef Irvine will be joined by top chefs from across the country to demonstrate their signature dishes for a live audience on the Savor Demonstration Stage.

On Saturday evening April 9th, guests will have the opportunity to dress up for the Savor in Style Charity Gala. From celebrity chefs to prominent regional chefs and widely known winemakers, this grand walk-around affair is where luxurious style meets substance. These culinary masters will offer their decadent creations, pairing each dish with an exceptional wine or other beverage.

Tickets for The Savor Grand Tasting sessions and the Savor in Style Charity Gala may be purchased online at www.SavorCT.com.

A portion of the proceeds from Savor benefit the Robert Irvine Foundation, a non-for-profit organization that honors the men and women defending our country. The Foundation’s mission is to support the individuals and organizations committed to enriching the lives of our military personnel and their families.
To learn more about the Foundation and Robert’s commitment to our military, please visit www.RobertirvineFoundation.org.

For more information, event details, featured personalities, hours and area hotels, visit www.SavorCT.com or stay up to date with all the excitement by following @SavorCT on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Connecticut Convention Center
The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford is the state's premier meeting venue and the largest full-service convention facility between New York and Boston. Overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River, it features 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 25,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as ample sheltered parking. The venue is professionally managed for the State of Connecticut by Waterford Venue Services, an affiliate of Waterford Hotel Group.
For more information, visit CTconventions.com.

Sip, Savor, and Stroll to Savor in Hartford! A two-day celebration of great food, wine and spirits!

Get your tickets at www.SavorCT.com 

Need more convincing? 

Take a look at my pictures from the 2015 Savor CT ==> HERE