In less than one month, the region’s best culinary artists will populate the Tucson Botanical Gardens for the eighth annual SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival! On Saturday, January 20, the festival, which is one of the region’s most celebrated culinary celebrations, is poised to feature menu tastings from more than 60 chefs, wineries, breweries, local foods, and restaurants.  

Joining SAVOR for the second time around is Chef Esther Flannigan. Flannigan has run the gamut, working in all manner of culinary settings — from fine dining restaurants and resorts to bakeries and fast food — and uses her extensive expertise to teach the next generation of brilliant culinary minds through Sahuarita High School’s culinary program.

Part of Pima’s Joint Technical Educational District (JTED), this is a two-year, state-level program that educates students in the culinary arts in exchange for both high school and college credit. 

“We dive into the fundamentals of food safety and sanitation, basic knife skills, earning their food handler’s card permit and ServSafe manager certificate, and learning about work in the industry, such as with SAVOR,” said Flannigan. “We are very, very excited to participate again because this is one of the few events that we do within a year that are very high-end and very much in the public eye. Students get to see what it is like beyond a first job, like in a fast food environment.”

Flannigan will be bringing some of Sahuarita High’s topmost rising culinary stars to SAVOR, allowing attendees to interact with up-and-coming names in the business and sample their bites before they hit it big.  

“SAVOR also gives our students great exposure,” Flannigan added. “It helps them network with industry professionals. I’m excited for the kids to get to meet anyone who’s interested in imparting knowledge to them, or who might be interested in possible catering opportunities.”

While SAVOR VIP tickets are sold out, General Admission tickets are still available at $115 each. General Admission attendees may attend the event from noon – 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 20 at the Tucson Botanical Gardens (it’s a 21-and-over-only event). 

“I think the kids are gonna do a wonderful job,” said Flannigan. “We really enjoy the support that we get from events like SAVOR and are definitely looking forward to coming back and proving ourselves every year.”

Tucson Botanical Gardens is located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit saaca.org.

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