The Westin Savannah Harbor won two awards — best entree and best food item — during the 12th annual Taste of Savannah that drew more than 600 people to the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center Thursday night.
Click here to view a photo gallery from the Taste of Savannah and here for a slideshow.
The 2012 winners were:
• Appetizer award winners:
First Place:
Crisped Local Oysters with Dilled Shallot Aioli 45 bistro
Second Place:
Duck Confit Tostada StayInSavannah.com
Third Place:
Seafood Pot Pie Johnny Harris Restaurant
• Entrée award winners:
First Place:
Sautéed Scallops with Duck Fat, Tomatoes and Basil The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
Second Place:
Braised Beef Short Rib with Stuffed Cannelloni of Mustard Greens and Roasted Acorn and Butternut Squash
The Olde Pink House
Third Place:
Grilled Quail with Muscadine BBQ Sauce & Stone Ground Grits Garibaldi
• Dessert award winners:
First Place:
Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Leopold’s Ice Cream
Second Place:
Fig Swirl Cookie with Candied Bacon Ice Cream The Olde Pink House
Third Place:
Chocolate Bread Pudding The River House Seafood Restaurant
• Best Novelty Food Item:
Pumpkin Pie Martini Savannah Riverboat Cruises
• Guests’ Choice Award: Best Booth Decoration:
The Olde Pink House
• Guests’ Choice Award: Best Food Item:
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
Judges included Jesse Blanco of Eatitandlikeit.com; Chef Jean Yves Vendeville, culinary department head at Savannah Technical College; Carl Lewis, digital media manager at savannahnow.com.
The event sponsored by the Tourism Leadership Council, Savannah Riverfront and U.S. Foods grossed more than $60,000.
The money will be used to support council programs, including scholarships for students pursuing hospitality careers, work-force development initiatives, professional networking opportunities, educational seminars for food-industry workers and an emergency fund to help member organizations and individuals in crisis situations.