Third Annual "Taste Of Pasadena" Brings Out Record-Breaking Crowd

By Hayley Gable

For the third year in a row, the Pasadena Business Association’s annual “Taste of Pasadena” event successfully brought together hundreds of locals to celebrate Pasadena’s diverse assortment of eateries and cuisine. Hosted at Kurtz’s Beach on April 19, the sold-out affair featured 19 of the community’s restaurants, bakeries, and catering companies who all set up shop to personally hand out samples of their most popular and beloved food items.

“I wouldn’t miss this event for the world,” said Pasadena Business Association Board Member and self-proclaimed food enthusiast Mike Jacobs. “Seeing all the people and trying all this food, especially all in one place, you just can’t beat it.”  (Click the read more link for the rest of the article.)

Among the featured vendors this year were Angel’s, BBQ, Blues and Seafood, Bamboo Bernie’s, Bella Napoli, Coconut Charlie’s, Compass Pointe Golf Course, Cross Creek Candies, Fifers Seafood, J. Le Cakes, Kurtz’s Beach, Lauer’s Supermarket and Bakery, Ledo Pizza, Maryland Yacht Club, Nabbs Creek Dock Bar and Grille, Patti Kake, Tall Oaks, The Ice Shack and Yogi’s Place.

“Everyone seems to love the food selection this year,” said Chef Marie Russell from Bamboo Bernie’s as she dished out her signature Carribean Jerk Chicken and “Snake Bite” beef tenderloin skewers.

While the event had been held at Compass Point Golf Course the last two years, it moved to Kurtz’ Beach for 2011 to accommodate more people. “The venue really made the difference. Everyone knows and loves the location and how much more spread out we were,” said lifelong Pasadena resident Tim Klug.

At the Bella Napoli stand, a line of folks wanting to test out the Mozzerela Caprese, Ravioli and Cream of Crab was consistent throughout the evening. “So far, the ravioli has been the most popular item with us. Everyone loves it,” noted Bella Napoli’s Zack Richardson, who was able to momentarily escape his distributing duties to snag some Steak skewers from next-door vendor Bamboo Bernie’s.

The assortment of featured food included everything from Maryland staples such as Tall Oak’s delicious crab pastries and Fifer’s jumbo grilled shrimp, to more traditional items like Ledo’s classic cheese pizza and BBQ, Blues and Seafood’s pit beef and ribs. “There is something here for everyone. It’s an awesome event,” said Delegate Nic Kipke, who was in attendance along with Delegate Steve Schuh, Delegate Don Dwyer and Senator Bryan Simonaire.

Additional cuisine available was Nabb’s Creek’s bacon-wrapped shrimp, Kurtz’s Beach’s chicken carbonara, Yogi’s steak and scallops, Angel’s Cajun crab dip, and Maryland Yacht Club’s spring salad. And then, of course, there was the dessert.

Lemon meringue, key lime and Boston cream pies, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate Oreo peanut butter-filled cupcakes, red velvet cake balls, and marshmallow-topped snowballs were just a few of the featured dessert items. “I’m a dessert guy, especially fruity desserts,” said PBA Board Member Tom Redmond. “Lauer’s chocolate-covered strawberries were simply excellent.”

With just over 400 people in attendance, this year’s event proved to be the largest thus far. “It’s good exposure for us. We like seeing new faces, and we like seeing old faces,” commented Tracy Fifer from Fifer’s Seafood, who was featuring his restaurant’s jumbo steamed shrimp, shrimp salad sandwiches and cream of crab soup.

At the end of the evening’s festivities, a door prize drawing was held where 40 lucky guests were awarded centerpiece floral arrangements courtesy of Maher’s Florist.

“The reason we started this event was to spotlight our food service industry,” said Lisa Hart, chair of the event. “Many times you go into an establishment and you don’t get to meet and talk with the owners or chefs. This gives you that opportunity.”

“It also gives the owners and chefs a chance to come out of the kitchen and be in the spotlight,” she continued.

Additionally, Hart and the Pasadena Business Association were thankful for everyone who made the event a success. “John Mason and his staff at Kurtz’s did a wonderful job taking care of everyone, and all of the vendors really outdid themselves presenting an array of specialty items,” she said. “The e-mails have been flowing in from folks wanting to know if we could put this on every month!”

Pasquale Carannante of Bella Napoli summarized the evening’s festivities best by saying, “This event is a perfect example of what true community spirit is all about. Great people and great food, it doesn’t get much better than this.”

To see our entire photo gallery from Tase of Pasadena, click here.