Savannah Food & Wine Festival Attempts Largest Lowcountry Boil

Seafood lovers and proud Southerners will have the chance to eat delicious food while trying to make history the first weekend in November.

The Savannah Food & Wine Festival, which runs Nov. 9-15, hopes to set a world record for its newest event: the World’s Largest Lowcountry Boil. Part of the pre-festival schedule, the big boil will take place on Saturday, November 7, from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Riverfront Esplanade of Hutchinson Island.

Tickets for the Lowcountry Boil cost $25 and include a lowcountry boil dish with fresh Wild Georgia Shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, Vidalia Onion and garlic — all seasoned with Georgia-grown ingredients. An All You Can Eat Side Fixin’s Bar will accompany the boil, along with a Shrimp Eating Contest, beverages and live music. Attendees will also be treated to a scenic view of the historic Savannah skyline and enjoy family-style peel-and-eat tables outdoors. The ferry will offer free express service for guests headed to the boil.

What is a Lowcountry Boil?

Lowcountry Boil is one of the quintessential Georgian dishes. It’s a stew that usually includes shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn and onions. Seasoning is generally left to the chef. The dish is found along the Gulf Coast, but is most often associated with Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana. While the Louisiana take on the dish is certainly more Cajun-inspired, there are similarities between the Lowcountry Boil and Louisiana boils.

Some Southerners may know the Lowcountry Boil by several names, including Frogmore Stew, Beaufort Stew or Beaufort boil. The origins of the Lowcountry Boil are somewhat foggy, but most people agree that a man named Richard Gay coined the name Frogmore Stew (after his little community of Frogmore, Georgia) for the dish he served around 1948. The name stuck, even if Frogmore was forgotten by time.

There’s More to It Than Food

In addition to offering an opportunity to eat a mouth-watering meal, lowcountry boils give communities a chance to come together and mingle. It’s not uncommon for organizations to host boils as a way to raise money, encourage people to socialize or to celebrate a shared heritage.

The Savannah Food & Wine Festival’s Lowcountry Boil is a great opportunity to take in Savannah, make history and enjoy the rich Southern culture that inspired the dish.