Savory plan aims to make area a foodie destination
SANDPOINT — Walla Walla has the wine. Seattle has the restaurants. And Portland has the foodie vibe.
Sandpoint has … well, a bit of everything and more. That’s the message in a new initiative launched to position, promote and grow the community as the next, great Pacific Northwest food destination.
The “Savor Sandpoint” program is a comprehensive, creative initiative to share the products, stories and experiences of the community’s own unique cottage industry and destinations in food, wine, beer and more, said Sandpoint Forward consultant Mark Rivers, the Sandpoint Forward consultant for the city’s downtown and economic development initiatives.
From its renowned Farmer’s Market to award-winning local wine and beer and the birthplace of globally-known Litehouse Foods, Sandpoint has long been a place of special flavors and purveyors.
The effort, which was launched in mid-April, is spearheaded by the community’s Sandpoint Forward economic vitality team and local stakeholders. It includes:
• Debut of the Savor Sandpoint website. — www.savorsandpoint.com — an online resource of the foodie world in Sandpoint, including a guide to destinations and dining and a one-of-a-kind magazine of recipes, lifestyle and features.
• “Wheelbarrow Wednesday,” which Rivers said just might be the coolest event of the summer in the region and the ultimate farm-to-fork experience.
On three Wednesdays this summer — July 11, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12 — 24 guests will join two chefs and a wheelbarrow to shop Sandpoint’s famed Farmer’s Market for fresh products which the chefs will prepare for an exclusive alfresco dinner at downtown Sandpoint’s Pend d’Oreille Winery. The event includes a VIP tour of some of Sandpoint’s artisan producers. Tickets are available online now via EventBrite.
• Development of a regional cooking school. An effort has begun in earnest to attract a culinary education program to Sandpoint, which can provide seasonal vocational and “experiential” casual cooking classes and seminars to local residents and visitors alike.
The goal is for a kick-off program this August and September, Rivers said.
“This is a dynamic recipe to combine the ingredients of Sandpoint’s foodie industry into a delicious dish for community vitality, the growth of the localvore movement and an elevation in our visitor economy,” said Rivers. “The foundation is here. The wonderful assets are here. It’s time to trumpet the story and grow it in a way that is uniquely Sandpoint.”
“I travel the world and love coming home,” said Steve Meyer, founder and president of Sandpoint’s downtown Pend d’Oreille Winery.
“Whenever I do, I’m always amazed at how our own homegrown products and experiences are authentic, lovingly-crafted and world-class. This is a new, exciting opportunity to build our local relationships and share with others.”
Information: www.savorsandpoint.com