Taste of Towns a passport to good food

Posted August 27, 2009 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

A family stops off at one of the vendor tents at last year's Taste of the Towns event. The event returns to Paulus Park on Sunday with 18 food vendors. Photo courtesy Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce

For the third year, the Taste of the Towns event returns to Lake Zurich. Once again, local restaurants will sell their food, and residents can get their "passports" stamped as they fill their stomachs. Laurie Wilhoit, project manager with the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, tells us what you need to know.

Q. How does Taste of the Towns work?

A. Attendees purchase a tasting menu, which we call a passport. These passports allow you to receive samples from all 18 vendors. Some of the samples that will be given out include flash-fried gulf shrimp, domestic and imported wines and beers, coffee coolers, beef pot roast, fried chicken, custard, pulled pork, ribs, salmon, chicken kebabs and Greek potatoes, pizza, mascarpone torte, brownies, blondies, cookies, pulled chicken, corn pudding, beef tenderloin, smoothies, sandwiches and much more. Passports can be shared by couples or families; however, only allow one serving per booth.

Q. What makes this such a fabulous event?

A. Keeping our friends, family, food and entertainment local. We have so many wonderful businesses in the area, this is a great way to showcase them.

Q. How long has this event been in existence? How has it changed, and what is new this year?

A. This is the third year. Each year we try something new to bring more excitement. This year we have several new food vendors and a new array of entertainment including new bands, children's activities and Skates, the Chicago Wolves Mascot

Q. What's the highlight of the event?

A. The highlight of the event is the wide variety of food and beverages by the many local businesses participating. This is offered in a picnic setting in beautiful Paulus Park with fun activities and entertainment for the entire family. Bring your appetite, family and friends to enjoy this wonderful community event.

Q. What kind of activities will appeal to kids and families?

A. For the children, there is a "Paint the Car" activity sponsored by Casten Auto Body; a four in one inflatable sponsored by SpaceWalk of Northern Illinois; and games, crafts and face painting sponsored by KinderCare Learning Center, ETC Preschool and Trilogy School of Performing Arts. For everyone, there is continuous live entertainment from jazz to current hits. And of course, the food.

Q. Tell us about the volunteers and organizers who pull this together.

A. This year's chairwoman is Bonnie Conte, co-owner of Avalon Salon and Day Spa in Deer Park. Other members of the committee include: Tony Demakis, Ten26 Design Group; Gy Sathe, Prudential Stark Realtors; Adam Schoenwald, Merrill Lynch; Nancy Camacho, Elegant Embroidery & Melon Ink Screen Print; Tammy Hall, KinderCare Learning Center; Jane Peterson, ETC Preschool; David Christopher, David Christopher Photography; Petra Croneigh, The Travel Gallery; Hanan Hafez-Mendez, Inland Bank; Vivek Narola, Lauri Schreiber, Dale Perrin, Carol Coleman and Laurie Wilhoit. The committee has been meeting since January planning this event.

Q. Is there anything else we should know?

A. Keep it local - discover the many possibilities the Lake Zurich area offers!

Visitors stop by one of the vendor tents at last year's Taste of the Towns. Attendees buy passports that allow them one sample from each of 18 food vendors. Photo courtesy Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce

Children will get to enjoy an inflatable playground again at this year's Taste of the Towns. Photo courtesy Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce

Children get to paint a car as part of the fun at last year's Taste of the Towns event in Lake Zurich. Photo courtesy Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce

Taste of the Towns When: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 Where: Paulus Park, on Route 12 just north of Route 22, Lake Zurich Cost: There is no charge to enter the park to enjoy the entertainment. There is a fee of $25 in advance or $30 the day of the event to purchase a passport, which allows you to receive tastes. Soft drinks, water and tickets for full glasses of wine or beer will be sold on site. Passports can be purchased in advance online at LakeZurichAreaChamber.com. Who benefits: A portion of the revenues are donated to the Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Department and the Lake Zurich Area Chamber's Scholarship and Young Entrepreneurs Academy Programs. More info: <a href="http://LakeZurichAreaChamber.com" target="new">LakeZurichAreaChamber.com</a> or (847) 438-5572

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