The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the return of one of the premier events in Columbus, the Synovus Toast of the Town. The Seventh Annual Synovus Toast of the Town is scheduled for Friday, March 11, 2016 at the RiverMill Event Centre.  Savor world-class wines, handcrafted beers, and delicious Southern spirits while dining on food prepared by some of the region’s most celebrated chefs.  In addition to sampling their wares, guests will meet and mingle with the contributing brew-masters, vintners, and culinary luminaries, all of whom will be on hand to share their unique tastes and toasts.

“The Synovus Toast of the Town is the signature fundraising event for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, but because it has grown into a regionally acclaimed food, wine, and spirits festival, the community has become just as much a beneficiary,” said Cameron Bean, Executive Director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

The main event of the Synovus Toast of the Town is the Grand Tasting.  In addition to the Grand Tasting, the CSO is excited to confirm the return of the Garden & Gun Preview Party, presented by Aflac.  For the past three years, the Garden & Gun Event has featured celebrity chefs and mixologists from their magazine. This year the event will feature three special guests from Garden and Gun’s newest book, A Southerner’s Cookbook: Chef Adam Evans from Atlanta’s Brezza Cucina, Mixologist Roderick Hale Weaver from Husk in Charleston, and Garden and Gun Editor Phillip Rhodes.  A limited number of tickets are available for this pre-Grand Tasting event. The Garden & Gun Preview Party is from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and the Grand Tasting is from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the RiverMill Event Centre.

“Last year, more than 1,000 guests attended and 60 vendors supported the event, but I think this year will be even bigger. I’m really impressed with the talented personalities we have been able to attract to the event, and I am very excited about the guests featured at the Garden & Gun Preview Party, presented by Aflac,” said Bean.  “This is the second year of our partnership with Synovus as the event’s Title Sponsor and, when you consider it, I think it’s a natural fit.  The Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Synovus are both pillars of Columbus. Both were founded in the 19th century and still maintain a deep commitment to the advancement of Columbus and the surrounding region.”

The Synovus Toast of the Town will feature vintners from around the world as well as regional chefs, restaurants and suppliers.  Guests will taste samplings from Columbus restaurants including 11^th and Bay, EPIC, Wicked Hen, The Social, It’s Your Day Catering, Pat-A-Cakes Bakery, Southern Straws, The Office, Trevioli Artisan Pasta Company and more; in addition local and regional clubs including: The Chattahoochee River Club, Country Club of Columbus, Green Island Country Club, and The Gardens Restaurant at Callaway Gardens.

Regional wine makers Warm Springs Vineyard & Winery, River’s Bend Winery and Still Pond Winery, as well as wines distributed by Georgia Crown, National Distributing Company, Quality Wines, B&B Beverage Company, and Empire Distributors will be featured at the event.  Back by popular demand are the wines from J. Lohr Vineyards, and Wines and JUSTIN/Landmark Wines.  New this year is Ozan Vineyard and Winery from Celera, AL.  The Synovus Toast of the Town will also highlight the spirits of Karin and Erik Vonk with Richland Rum Distillery, Fruitland Augusta, Thirteenth Colony Distilleries and Cathead Vodka.  Additionally, guests will be offered tastings from craft breweries from Triangle Wholesalers such as Terrapin and Red Brick Ale.  Other regional craft brewers will be sampling their brews as well.