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Tasty, and then some

| 07 May 2015 | 07:32
    The first place winner for Fine Dining was YuneþÄôs Sushi. HalliganþÄôs took first place in Casual Dining and ChumleyþÄôs BBQ won first place for Dessert. And sadly, there was a new award, The Spirit of Taste of the Town, in memory of ChumleyþÄôs Chef/Owner, Dan Lemire, who passed away unexpectedly last month. Front from left, Emcee and Judge Bobby Lerz, Event Chair Mary Juliano, Jessica and Caitlin Lemire, the daughters of ChumleyþÄôs Owner/Chef Dan Lemire, Judge Ellen Pascal, Annette Sanchez, co-owner of Jean-ClaudeþÄôs Artisan Bakery, ChumleyþÄôs Dessert Chef Sabrina Jennings and Father Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the first Martyr. Rear from left, HalliganþÄôs Head Chef Robert Gallo, YuneþÄôs co-owner Melody Yune, Cheryl Corbett, owner of CorbettþÄôs Cookie Bar Kitchen and Jaime Monteaperto of ShopRite.
    The first place winner for Fine Dining was YuneþÄôs Sushi. HalliganþÄôs took first place in Casual Dining and ChumleyþÄôs BBQ won first place for Dessert. And sadly, there was a new award, The Spirit of Taste of the Town, in memory of ChumleyþÄôs Chef/Owner, Dan Lemire, who passed away unexpectedly last month. Front from left, Emcee and Judge Bobby Lerz, Event Chair Mary Juliano, Jessica and Caitlin Lemire, the daughters of ChumleyþÄôs Owner/Chef Dan Lemire, Judge Ellen Pascal, Annette Sanchez, co-owner of Jean-ClaudeþÄôs Artisan Bakery, ChumleyþÄôs Dessert Chef Sabrina Jennings and Father Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the first Martyr. Rear from left, HalliganþÄôs Head Chef Robert Gallo, YuneþÄôs co-owner Melody Yune, Cheryl Corbett, owner of CorbettþÄôs Cookie Bar Kitchen and Jaime Monteaperto of ShopRite.

WARWICK — On Sunday, May 3, the eleventh annual Taste of the Town was held on St. Stephen's Parish ground.

The huge tent accommodated 23 booths for local restaurants, wineries and other vendors as well as an estimated 1,800 visitors who attended the popular annual event.

The final tally of the proceeds from this year's event is not available at this time but last year's Taste of the Town earned over $18,000.

Proceeds will be used to benefit St. Stephen's - St. Edward's School as well as the entire parish and others in the community, who use school facilities.

In addition to the local restaurants, wineries and musical entertainment, this year's event also featured additional outdoor family style entertainment and an Irish step dancing demonstration courtesy of Kerry Dancing NY.

'Fill a Truck'New for this year was free admission and the addition of the "Fill a Truck to Feed Our Neighbors" campaign. Guests were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to help the Warwick and Greenwood Lake food pantries.

"This year we decided to offer free admission to Taste of the Town to encourage the feel of community here in Warwick," said Event Chair Mary Juliano. "I believe we were able to accomplish that. Our participating restaurants showcased their finest food. We collected non perishable food items for the local food pantries and we opened our tent walls to share food, drink and music with friends."

Although most vendors use part of the proceeds to cover expenses, many of the participants donated all their earnings back to Taste of the Town.

AwardsAs an added attraction each restaurant was judged for best selections in three categories: Fine Dining, Comfort Food and Dessert.

The first place winner for Fine Dining was Yune's Sushi.

Halligan's took first place in Casual Dining and Chumley's BBQ won first place for Dessert.

And sadly, there was a special award this year, The Spirit of Taste of the Town, in memory of Chumley's Chef/Owner, Dan Lemire, who passed away unexpectedly last month leaving behind his wife, Lori and their three daughters Jessica, Shannon and Caitlin. Chumley's has participated every year in this event.

"Taste of the Town is one of the major events of the community, bringing together people of all ages for a fun day of food and activities," the Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, said. "Its success comes about only through the hard work of many dedicated people of St. Stephen's Parish. Bravo to all who made the day such a wonderful event."

- Roger Gavan

Editor's note: Additional photographs from the event can be found online at warwickadvertiser.com.