From Attendee to Correspondent: A Full-Circle Savor St. Pete Food & Wine Festival Moment
There are experiences that fill your cup… and then there are experiences that overflow it. This year’s Savor St. Pete Food & Wine Festival did exactly that.
After more than five years of attending this festival as a guest, a foodie, and an enthusiastic influencer dreaming of someday being part of it in a bigger way, stepping into the role of official Savor St. Pete Event Correspondent felt nothing short of surreal. It was one of those pinch-me moments where passion, community, and purpose come together in the most beautiful way.
Savor has always held a special place in my heart — not just because of the incredible chefs and unforgettable flavors, but because it captures the spirit of St. Pete: creative, bold, warm, and endlessly inspiring. To spend this year not just tasting, but telling the stories behind the dishes, the people, and the magic… that was a true honor.
I have to give the deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to Tammy Gail, the powerhouse and visionary behind the festival. Her brilliance and dedication are the reason Savor exists — and why it continues to expand, grow, and elevate cities from St. Pete to Fort Lauderdale. Working with Tammy this year left me genuinely inspired. She leads with creativity, grit, and grace, and it was a privilege to be part of something she built so thoughtfully.
Tammy, thank you for believing in me and for inviting me into this world you’ve created. I will cherish this experience forever.
One of the highlights of my role this year was hosting the Savor Chef Sessions, where I had the chance to dive into the artistry, humor, and flavors of some of our region’s most talented chefs:
Chef Jason Miller from The Melting Pot
Chef Steve Horvat of Coconut Charlie’s St. Pete Beach
Chef Lee Aquino from Birch & Vine at The Birchwood
Chef David Asher of Taverna Costale
Pitmaster Dave Johnson from Kindred’s
Each conversation reminded me why I love this community so much: the dedication, the creativity, the joy, and the way food becomes storytelling. Hearing what they prepared for the festival, from coastal-inspired bites to chef-driven creations, made the weekend even more special. I’m still thinking about quite a few of those dishes.
Walking through Vinoy Park as the festival’s correspondent was a full-circle moment in every sense. I met old friends, made new ones, and fangirled over national chefs I’ve admired for years. I tasted dishes that were both comforting and wildly imaginative, each one a testament to the level of talent we have right here in Tampa Bay.
What I’ll remember most, though, are the moments in between:
The laughter. The cheers of people discovering something new. The pride on each chef's face. The feeling of being part of something bigger than myself, something that celebrates community, artistry, and passion.
If you missed Savor St. Pete this year, don’t make that mistake twice. This festival is a love letter to the culinary soul of our city, and I’m already excited for what 2026 will bring.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who followed along, said hello, shared a bite, or joined the fun. My camera roll is full, my foodie heart is happy, and I’m endlessly grateful for this experience.
Cheers to an unforgettable Savor weekend and to many more to come.
— Alexia Gonzalez
Official Correspondent, Savor St. Pete Food & Wine Festival 2025