TASTE OF WAYNEDALE RAISES $7,500
Kingston Residence hosted their 5th Annual Taste of Waynedale on Tuesday, March 19th. Amid record cold temperatures and blustery wind, 27 area restaurants and businesses offered delicious food and drink to approximately 500 attendees who braved the weather to sample a huge variety of products benefiting two great charities, Community Harvest Food Bank and the Fort Wayne Trails~Waynedale Initiative.
Some of the appealing dishes that had everyone buzzing included the tender filet mignon from Captain Ron’s Corral, popular cheesy potatoes from Nine-Mile, Taste Diz’s flavorful pulled pork, OMG Grande nachos from Bandido’s, Texas Caviar from the Olive Twist, Coney’s from The Stand, Hill’s crab cakes and the naked burrito from Qdoba Mexican Grill.
There was a also a wide array of desserts to choose from, like the “to die for” warm bread pudding from Casa Ristorante, whole donuts from Mike’s, luscious lemon bars from Waynedale Bakery, Barb’s handmade baklava from Spyro’s, Dairy Queen’s ice cream cake and Azar’s signature strawberry pie.
The proud winner of the first “People’s Choice” Vendor award went to Nine-Mile Restaurant. Taverner Joe Strack said, “We are truly honored to receive this first time People’s Choice award. We thank Kingston Residence for hosting the event and appreciate all who attended and voted for us. It is always a pleasure meeting new people at the Taste of Waynedale and then seeing them again at Nine Mile or a catered event.”
The silent auction was also strongly supported with over $3,100 earned from this aspect of the event. “The businesses in and around greater Waynedale are so very generous,” said Kingston Residence Marketing Director Camille Garrison. “We had 63 items for people to bid on, including an IPOD Touch from Bolinger Dental, a set of Widex Hearing Aids from TLC Hearing, Window Cleaning from Advanced, a Will Package from attorney Jim Springer plus numerous beautiful gift baskets from hair salons, golf packages, gardening and floral items and auto care certificates. We had a heated bidding war for a colorful full size M & M dispenser compliments of Walgreen’s. The variety and sheer number of items donated was amazing!” stated Garrison.
The proceeds of the event, a fantastic total of $7,500, will be split between two local charities. Community Harvest Food Bank Director Jane Avery stated, “Community Harvest Food Bank of NE Indiana is honored to be supported by the Taste of Waynedale again in 2013. Kingston Residence and the Waynedale community are literally our neighbors and it’s always so affirming when we see our neighbors standing side-by-side with us in our mission of hunger relief. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in making The Taste of Waynedale another great success.”
The other recipient of the proceeds is the Fort Wayne Trails ~ Waynedale Initiative. One goal is to create a safe pedestrian crossing over the Lower Huntington Bridge into the St. Mary’s Pathway beneath. This would benefit all the homes and apartments on Lower Huntington Road. Overall, the combined total amount donated from all five Tastes of Waynedale equals an amazing $38,100.
A tent was available to people who wanted to sit down and enjoy coffee along with the great food. Executive Director Erin Floyd said, “The weather under the tent was lovely; we appreciated the heater loaned to us by Scheerer McCulloch which kept us comfortable.” She added, “We are so blessed to also have the support of our sponsors such as The Waynedale News who help publicize the event, JW Signs who provided free signage and both Hair Affair and Curves for Women who sold tickets for the event.”
Ellison Bakery also provided cookies for the road as people left. If anyone left hungry, it was their own fault. As Dave Rowe, a first time attendee to the Taste of Waynedale posted on his Facebook page; I didn’t just Taste Waynedale – I think I ate all of Waynedale!”
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