This year’s SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival was a huge hit — and a sellout — bringing together more than 1,500 people at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Currently, it’s Southern Arizona’s largest culinary festival, and last month, more than 80 participating chefs, wineries, breweries, and local food artisans dished out goods.
“Culinary arts are among the most elevated cultural traditions in our region,” said Kate Marquez, Executive Director of the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA). “We are proud to provide an opportunity to uplift and showcase the creativity, heritage, and innovation of our local chefs and food artisans year after year.”
The folks at Tucson Botanical Gardens were happy once again to transform the garden into a “celebration of flavors,” creating a fun fusion of nature and local food.
It’s “more than just a culinary experience,” said Michelle Conklin, Executive Director of the Tucson Botanical Gardens. “It’s a dynamic community gathering that enriches the city’s cultural fabric, deepens our appreciation for food and the environment, and showcases the power of partnership by uniting three organizations with a shared vision.”
Hey, Tucson isn’t a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for nothin’, right?
Also, and like previous years, there are a couple of People’s Choice Award Winners to announce. Attendees voted for their favorite tastings, and Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa and Los Milics Vineyards were awarded top honors.
The crew at Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, located at 3800 E. Sunrise Dr., won “Best Bite” for their grilled octopus salad and scallops with butternut squash. Then, Los Milics — a vineyard in Elgin that’s won multiple awards in the past couple fo years — took home “Best Sip” for its Jules Vermentino, Itas Rosé, and Renatos Red Blend.
This year’s event also introduced expanded sustainability efforts, working toward zero waste in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Compost Cats and Local First Arizona.
Throughout the day, folks were encouraged to separate their waste into recycling, composting, liquid, and landfill containers.
As Tucson continues to shine as a top-notch culinary city of greatness, SAVOR will return next year with even more flavors, local collaborations, and community-driven experiences.
Mark your calendars — it’ll likely be in January 2026.
For more information on the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and upcoming events, visit saaca.org.
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