The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce and Affiliates held its annual Taste of Flagler event Monday (April 25) at the Conservatory Golf Club off Old Kings Road, giving Flagler’s leading chefs a chance to show off their best recipes to palates by the hundreds. The event is a local tradition. So is its habit of selling out, as it did Monday. Gastronomy enthusiasts paid between $30 and $35 for the serial pleasures.
For Jason Stasa, food and beverage manager at Grand Haven Golf Club–which ended up winning the people’s choice award–the event is a chance to showcase the club’s specialties. “This will be our forth year at Taste of Flagler,” Stasa said. “It’s just awesome for our staff.”
Participating restaurants this year included Blue at Topaz, Honey Baked Ham and Café Co., Carmella’s Pizza and Pasta, Hammock Wine & Cheese, Golden Corral, Thai Korner, Caribbean Treats, Florida Hospital Flagler, Delfino’s, Grand Haven and the Atlantic Grill. The competition featured the owner of Back from Hell Catering and the winner of television’s “Hell’s Kitchen” (season 5) led the panel of judges. (The list of winners is below the video.)
Charlotte Marten reports:
Taste of Flagler 2011: The Winners
| Award | Dish (if applicable) | Restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizer | Salmon | Atlantic Grille |
| Entrée | Tenderloin | Grand Haven |
| Dessert | Cannoli | Carmella’s Pizza & Pasta |
| Healthy Choice | Florida Hospital | |
| Best Presentation | Delfino's | |
| People’s Choice | Grand Haven | |
| Best Overall | Short Ribs | Delfino's |
johninc says
In the many places I have lived, Flagler is the only place where this type of event is held on a Monday evening. Everywhere else, this type of event is held on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Typically, an event like this would draw hundreds if not thousands, and provide exceptional exposure to the participating restaurants. On a Monday night, after a full day of work and another one the very next day, most people are just not up for standing in lines to get food. Too bad.
Will says
Replying to Johninc…
The evening was lovely and the limited ticket sales provided an event that was civilized and tasetful without the mash of crowds. The longest line I had to stand in for any restaurant was about five people, just enough to have a nice conversation or to finish the last tasty treat from the booth before….
One reason for Mondays, by the way, is that it’s often a light night for the restaurants, and is thus easier for them to have staff available and to put their best foot forward.
Think about getting a table next year with a group of your friends. Some companies had tables, but so did some clubs and community organizations. And for those who came when open seating prevailed later, there were plenty of seats available.
Kudos to the Chamber for a great event!
Ron says
I suspect the day had something to do with the availability of the golf course.
uncl E says
I think the painted award plates were beautiful