Savor St. Mary’s Invites You

Savor St. Mary’s” is an initiative bringing together locally-owned restaurants, caterers, food service providers, wineries and growers to create special menus prepared with ingredients fresh from area farms, waterways and vineyards.  The kickoff meeting will be on Monday, February 8, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Lenny’s restaurant in California, MD, www.lennys.net.  

Occurring twice annually, “Savor St. Mary’s” will feature a seasonal line-up of items locally grown and produced as presented through the creative interpretation of area restaurants.  Kicking off this summer: July 25-August 8, 2010, “Savor St. Mary’s” will highlight fresh seasonal produce. The 2011 event will be February 15-28 and will have an emphasis on local seafood and wine. 

A collaboration between locally-owned restaurants, St Mary’s County Tourism and Economic Development, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) as well as locally-owned small businesses and community-minded individuals,  “Savor St. Mary’s” was conceived to offer support to local agriculture, promote the area’s independent small businesses, and give back to the community. 

A portion of the proceeds resulting from “Savor St. Mary’s will be donated to the two local kitchens;  “St. Mary’s Caring” in Lexington Park, MD and the “Loaves and Fishes” ministry at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Leonardtown, MD, which provide food to the community’s hungry and homeless. 

This is the first gathering of possible participants and is intended to be a planning session as well as to encourage partnerships between area restaurants and growers who are now preparing for summer demand.  There is NO FEE for attending and all are welcome. 

Restaurants wishing to become a participant in “Savor St. Mary’s” must be able to meet the following eligibility requirements: 

·         Participants must include at least one menu item featuring locally-grown produce as a main ingredient during the   “Savor St. Mary’s” dates which will then continue to be offered on the menu throughout the season. 

·         Illustrate a commitment to utilize local suppliers whenever possible throughout the year. 

·         Have a Chef or Owner willing to serve as a “face” of the promotion and help encourage participation. 

For information on how to participate in “Savor St. Mary’s” contact Rebecca Deprey, Tourism Coordinator, St. Mary’s County DECD, (301) 475-4200 ext. 1404 or Rebecca.Deprey@stmarysmd.com.