News

15th Annual Taste of Gahanna – Record Breaking Year!

Posted by Becky Whittington on November 12, 2012

With the close of the largest and most successful “Taste of Gahanna” yet, organizers want to thank everyone that helped to make this event a record breaking year! Exceeding last years record attendance, over 840 participants and guests enjoyed a 3 hour culinary extravaganza designed to promote consumer awareness and business development for food purveyors and chamber restaurants.

The fun filled evening began with sponsor recognition, introduction of Karina Nova WBNS 10TV and appreciation of sustaining sponsors: Lew Griffin Insurance Agency, Toyota Direct, SOH Productions, 104.9 The River, This Week Community Newspapers, Aladdin Shrine Event & Conference Center, Catering by Design and Giant Eagle sponsor of the Chefs’ Challenge. A Halloween theme set the scene to enjoy a variety of delectable dishes prepared by 29 exhibitors all elaborately decorated and displayed around the ballroom floor. The always popular and entertaining “Chefs’ Challenge” cooking contest featured eight accomplished Chefs, each required to bring ingredients to create a signature dish and incorporate Rosemary, the secret ingredient. Awards were presented in 4 other categories of competition including Best Display, People’s Favorite Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert. A costume contest for adults and children, door prizes and the smooth jazz sounds of the Dwight Lenox Quartet rounded out the night.

Congratulations go to the following winners in their respective area of competition.

Chefs’ Challenge:

Best Display: Catering by Design 

People’s Favorite Appetizer: Longhorn Steakhouse

People’s Favorite Entrée: J. Gumbo’s (3rd year in a row)

People’s Favorite Dessert: Koko Tea Salon & Bakery

“Putting a successful event together especially of this size requires a tremendous amount of team work and support,” noted Committee Chairwoman, Mary Beth Brigleb, newImage Business Cards.  Many thanks to the following businesses for their sponsorship support:

Platinum sponsors: Joe Evans Reality Group

Gold sponsors:

Silver sponsor: National Church Residences Stygler Rd.

Costume Contest Sponsor: Telhio Credit Union

Goody Bag Sponsor: Wesley Ridge

Non-Food Exhibitors:

We also want to thank our 29 members for their yummy samples:

  • Bon Vie Bistro
  • Catering By Design
  • The Chocolate Tree
  • City Barbeque
  • Creekside Conference & Event Center
  • Edible Arrangements
  • Embassy Suites Columbus Airport
  • FM All American Bar & Grill
  • Giant Eagle Gahanna
  • The Golf Depot-Barry’s Grill & Pub
  • J. Gumbo’s
  • Jefferson Country Club
  • Jorgensen Farm
  • Kensington Place
  • King Gyros Greek Restaurant
  • Koko Tea Salon & Bakery
  • Longhorn Steakhouse
  • Los Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant
  • The Melting Pot
  • Mezzo Gahanna
  • National Church Residences Stygler Rd.
  • Ohio Herb Education Center
  • Old Bag of Nails
  • Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
  • Rotelli Pizza Pasta Perfect
  • Sher Bliss
  • Smoothie King Gahanna
  • The Worthington
  • Wyandotte Winery

And to committee members & volunteers who generously gave their time and talent to ensure a memorable evening was had by all!

  • Mary Beth Brigleb, Chair, newImage Business Cards
  • Nichole Brown, Taste Hospitality
  • Rick Conover, Aflac
  • Paula Megert, Mid Ohio Strategic Technologies
  • Robin Smith, The Worthington
  • Ron Smith, SOH Productions
  • Ron Wolfinger, Legal Shield
  • Leslee Blake & Becky Whittington – Chamber Staff

Volunteers:

  • Erin Whinnery, Step Beyond, GACC Communications Liaison
  • Carol Bailey, Eagle Financial Solutions
  • Gretchen Hof & Pam Brown, GCVB
  • Ann Fiore, The Worthington
  • Lisa Bowers, Ohio Health Urgent Care

Lastly, thanks to our members who supported the event through the generous donation of door prizes. We hope to see everyone next year!

Visit GahannaTV.com to view a 3 minute video.

 

 

Posted in: Chamber News, From the Newsletter