Thankfully, my flight didn’t depart from Newark—air traffic control issues there had caused a wave of cancellations. I landed in Dallas without a hitch, invited by the Omni PGA Frisco Resort to attend the inaugural SAVOR festival. It also happened to be my first time in Texas—home of barbecue, country music, Stetson hats, and Lucchese boots. All of those made an appearance at the festival… along with one more Texas favorite: golf.
Yes, golf. Turns out, Texas isn’t just known for two stepping, brisket, whiskey and country music—the sport is huge here, with more golf courses than almost any other state. And SAVOR gave golf its own spotlight, hosting a celebrity tee-off that paired actors with acclaimed chefs. Imagine Kurt Russell—yes, the Western movie legend—teeing off alongside Kwame Onwuachi the James Beard Award winning chef of Tatiana.
At first, I wasn’t sure how golf and food fit together under a name like SAVOR. But the Omni team made it work—and made it memorable. Because while savor usually brings food to mind, it’s also about slowing down, taking in the moment. That spirit carried through the entire weekend, whether you were at a tasting, a fireside chat, or swinging a golf club under the Texas sun…