The second annual gourmet seafood, spirits and music celebration, AquaCurean, presented by The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, drew in large crowds throughout the August 28-30 weekend. Proceeds from this successful event raised $10,000 for local children’s and family charities through the Savannah Harbor Foundation.
 
In partnership with the separate but symbiotic 501(c)(3) partner, the Savannah Harbor Foundation, Inc., The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa presented a three day seafood and spirits festival at the end of August and was able to raise $10,000 through sponsorships which will be distributed to local children’s and family charities here in the region.
 
The Savannah Harbor Foundation often partners with Savannah’s Resort and other community entities in order to create events that engage the community and raise funds for local charitable organizations. Past recipients include Greenbriar Children’s Center, Lowcountry Downsyndrome, Memorial Children’s Hospital, the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia and more.
 
The event was made possible by the event sponsors and media outlets covering the festivities including, Savannah Morning News, GPB, Savannah Magazine, WTOC, iHeartMedia, Coca Cola, Cheney Brothers, United Distributing, Local Palate, Atlanta Magazine, Savannah/HHI Airport, Eat it and Like it, Blue Point Brewing, Bombay Sapphire, Absolut, Old Forester Bourbon, H3 Wines, PSAV, BD Judge Seafood, Herradura Tequila, Papa’s Pilar Rum, Devivo Marketing, and the Adfish Group.
 
The festival began August 28th with a Five Course Grand Ballroom event featuring live jazz, in-room course preparation and cocktail demonstrations. This premier event featured a seated five course culinary journey with paired cocktails and spirits. Chefs from coastal regions around the country created each course and our certified spirit experts dynamically paired cocktails to accompany. Guests were delighted as they enter the Grand Ballroom of Savannah’s Resort to discover a reimagined ballroom where they had been invited to dine with renowned chefs:

·         Jeffrey Roberto from Sushi on a Roll in San Diego
·         Jimmy Reyes from Todd English’s Bluezoo from Orlando
·         Paula Da Silva from 3030 Ocean at the Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale
·         Mark Majorie from The Roosevelt Hotel, Fountain Lounge in New Orleans
·         Mark Santiago from The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah

Saturday’s AquaCurean Seafood Challenge included competition between chefs from regional restaurants where they created seafood recipes and vied for the title of AquaCurean Champion. Participating restaurants included 45 Bistro, The Landing Club, South Carolina Yacht Club, Collins Quarter, The Florence, Leoci’s Trattoria, Tybee Island Social Club, Blowin’ Smoke, B. Matthew’s Eatery, The 5 Spot, The Wyld and Aqua Star, along with featured guest chefs from the previous evening.  
 
The overall seafood winner of the Chef’s Seafood Challenge was Alfredo Soto from 45 Bistro.
 
Participants of the AquaCurean Cocktail Challenge and the AquaCurean Chef’s Seafood Challenge demonstrated their hand-crafted cocktails and culinary masterpieces on stage during the AquaCurean Challenge & Coastal Pop-Up. Winners were decided by attendee popular vote.
 
·         Absolut Vodka: “Top of the Heap” by Matt Garappolo from Sapphire Grill
·         Papa’s Pilar Rum: “Glen Coco-Nut” by Amanda Stone from Blowin’ Smoke
·         Herradura Tequila: “El Scorcho” by Stokes Holmes from Blowin’ Smoke
·         Bombay Sapphire Gin: “The Zippah” by Andrew Ripley from Cotton & Rye
·         Old Forester Bourbon: “Forbidden Fruit” by Sidney Lance from Pacci
 
Overall winner of the AquaCurean Cocktail Challenge was Othel Plowden from The Landings Club with his cocktail “Uncanny Approach” made with Bombay Sapphire Gin. He will be donating a portion of his winnings to charity.
 
The weekend was rounded out by a spectacular Fresh Catch and Cocktails Jazz Brunch featuring A Bloody Mary bar, Champagne, seafood, breakfast buffet & jazz music. With the backdrop of the Savannah River and the city sky line, guests joined our coastal chefs for an unforgettable brunch with a few surprises and beautiful music performed by Jeremy Davis and the Equinox Trio.