Monday evening, the courtyard of Best Western on Huffman Mill Road exuded enticing aromas of freshly prepared cuisine and blared the musical talents of a local band.
Taste of Alamance, an event where local food and beverage vendors offered samples of their cuisines to hungry guests, was responsible for the commotion. Guests paid $25 to taste samples provided by 33 local vendors from Pandora’s Pies and Panera to B. Christopher’s and Grill 584.
Guests of Taste of Alamance rode in style to the event. They were told to park in the lot behind Starbucks on Huffman Mill Road, where transportation was provided to the Best Western down the street. Piedmont Limousine transported them in a party bus equipped with two televisions, (empty) champagne glasses, floor-lit illumination and a polite, well-dressed driver.
Once they got to the event, guests said they enjoyed themselves. If they weren’t busy munching on a snack, they were eyeing the next booth to check out what samples were being offered at their next destination.
Local resident Paul Gill was particularly impressed with the seafood samples offered at Grill 584.
“That shrimp was banging,” Gill said.
Mary Robertson, also from the area, could not get enough of the double twice-baked potato from Village Grill.
Tyra Harmon had a harder time choosing her favorite dish.
“I can’t decide,” Harmon said. “I liked everything.”
The atmosphere in the courtyard was bustling. The Chick-fil-A cow was roaming around the venue, local Boy Scouts were on trash duty and people crowded around booths waiting for their samples. Aside from delicious cuisine and a clean venue thanks to the Boy Scouts, entertainment was provided by a band from Mebane. The band Crossover Drive performed over the chatter of the event.
“We call ourselves a hip-shakin’, rock funkin’ soul band,” said drummer and vocalist Chris Conley.
Band members got the chance to taste some of the samples during their break.
“As you can see, none of us are shy at the dinner table,” Conley said. “I didn’t get to try everything, but I was impressed with Chick-fil-A’s new cookie.”
The vendors at the event also recieved perks.
“It’s a great way for us to network with other restaurants,” said Dave Benge from Pepsi-Cola, the exclusive beverage sponsor for Taste of Alamance. “Plus, I haven’t had one person come by and say, 'Do you have a Coke?'”
An owner of Company Shops Market, a co-op in downtown Burlington, was there to serve home-made ice cream with locally-grown, organic toppings.
“It’s just a great way to tell people about the co-op and let them try our products,” owner Tricia Moss said. “We can also tell them things they might not know. For example, we have wine tasting and live music at the co-op on Friday nights.”
Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream was also at the event to advertise its new Elon location. They were excited to partner with Red Cross.
“We partner with local organizations,” Smitty’s employee Nicole Arslan said. “Our goal is to help our community.”
Taste of Alamance started with a woman named Brandy Miller. As a board member and financial development chair of the Piedmont Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross, Miller decided to start planning Taste of Alamance to raise money for the organization.
Miller has been organizing the event since it started five years ago. Each year is a learning experience for her.
“My favorite part is when everyone has set up their tables and right before the madness starts,” Miller said.
Thanks to all of her hard work, they sold about 450 tickets this year. According to Miller, Taste of Alamance has outgrown their Best Western venue. Next year, they plan to hold it in downtown Burlington in front of Company Shops Market on East Front Street.
The event was a success for the Piedmont Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross, and a success for guests who left satisfied.
“Well, I can't eat another thing,” resident Rosa Bailey said on her way out.