The fourth annual Taste of the Valley, the signature taste event of the River Valley benefiting Tri-Town Youth Services, was held on September 10, 2010. The event would not be possible without our generous sponsors and contributors including: The Clark Group, The Valley Courier, Whelen Engineering, Reid Brothers, Essex Savings Bank, Angus McDonald/Gary Sharpe, & Associates, FIO Partners, Tom Alexa, Tower Labs, Bogaert Construction, Roses for Autism, Essex Lions and many other local businesses. Thank you, as well, to all of the businesses and individuals that contributed items to our silent auction.
Under the white tent, you could hear: "Did you try the shrimp from the Brushmill? Or the soup from El & Ela's? Or the pork sushi from The Gris? Or the bread pudding from the Riverhouse? Or the tiramisu from La Vita Gustosa? Or the gazpacho from the Ivory? Or the lobster BLT from Cloud Nine? Or the pulled pork from Gabrielle's? Or the wraps from Squiggy's? Or the lobster pesto dish from the Corner Family Restaurant? It's all amazing!" Over 250 attendees enjoyed the innovative appetizers and desserts while listening to the groovy bluesy tunes of Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts.
We extend special thanks to the restaurant participants whose generosity, creativity, and passion for food make our event so exciting. The winners of the 2010 Taste of the Valley awards were as follows: Best Chocolate Dessert - Cloud Nine Catering/The Lace Factory, Most Original Menu - The Ivory Restaurant, Best Use of Local Ingredients - Squiggy's Lakeside, Best Barbecue - Gabrielle's, Most Inventive Dessert - Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station, Best Vegetarian Appetizer - El & Ela's Fine Foods, Best Dessert - La Vita Gustosa, Best Appetizer - Corner Family Restaurant, and Best Presentation - The Griswold Inn. Thank you to Fogo and Pizzeria DaVinci for their participation as well. The attendees of the event awarded Best Overall and the coveted Taste of the Valley Fork to Brushmill by the Waterfall for their "dynamite shrimp" and "wild mushroom risotto".
Our committee went above and beyond the call of duty - and we cannot thank them enough for their time and effort. Thank you to all those who bought tickets and joined us at the event. The funds raised at the event will help our organization to continue to fulfill its mission - to promote the positive growth and development of youth and families in Chester, Deep River and Essex.
