16th Annual Taste & Tour of the Countryside

Monday October 26, 2009

Last Tuesday, the Brandywine Confrence & Visitors Bureau hosted the 16th Annual Taste and Tour of the Countryside at Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center in Drexel Hill.  2,000 attendees from the event and hospitality industry turned out to sample fine food and beverages from over 50 of the regions hotels, restaurants, caterers and meeting facilities.  The night began at 4:30 pm with the VIP reception, with general admission starting at 6:00 pm and the festivities carrying on until 9:00 pm.

One of the night’s many sponsors, SYSCO, featured their first Chef Demonstration which showcased five of the area’s chefs preparing their signature dishes in front of a live audience with TV host Bill Boggs as the night’s emcee.

The exhibitors went all out again this year, decorating lavish booths with everything from painted models to chocolate fountains.  Exhibitors also brought along delicious foods ranging from pork barbecue to tuna tartare. Music was provided by Avalare Strings in the Grand Ballroom and Wheatstone Bridge in the Garden Dessert Pavilion.

There were three competitions this year:  the Best Culinary Presentation award, the Best Booth award and the Best of the Garden Dessert/Beverage Pavilion.  Judges for the competitions included Lynn Doyle of “It’s Your Call”, Ken Alan from the Philadelphia Concierge Association, Larry Ott of ISES Philadelphia, Bill Henley of NBC 10, Good Day Philadelphia’s Mike Jerrick, Jennafer Ross of MPI, Stanley Cup Flyers Bob Kelly and Dave Schultz, Tony Dagget of ISES South Jersey, Denise DiMartino of NACE, Kristin Albertson of Albertson’s Cooking School, Chef Tom Macrina of The Desond, Chef Brian Duffy from Kildare’s, film critic Neal Zoren, Ann-Michelle Albertson of Albertson’s Cooking School, Lynn Buono of NACE and Dan D’Angelo of ACF.

2009 Taste and Tour of the Countryside Award Winners:

Best Culinary Presentation

Gold – Waterford Ballroom and Chumley’s at Radisson Valley Forge

Silver - Treesome (Crystal Rose Catering, Creative Juice Group and New Hope Winery)

Bronze – Harrah’s Chester Casino

Best Booth

Gold - Perelman Quadrangle Events Facility

Silver – Waterford Ballroom and Chumley’s at Radisson Valley Forge

Bronze – Treesome (Crystal Rose Catering, Creative Juice Group and New Hope Winery)

Best of the Garden Dessert/Beverage Pavilion

The Villanova Conference Center

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