There were some tough decisions made at the Taste of Bradford event Thursday evening.
Which of the dozen-and-a-half dishes should patrons try first, or should they start with one of the desserts?
The event, held at the Masonic Lodge to benefit the Bradford Area Public Library, was sold out, according to Lacey Love, Bradford Area Public Library executive director.
“We were very pleased,” she said. “People were more comfortable with a second-year event, and I think word-of-mouth certainly helped from last year.”
Food was provided by Brick Oven Pizza and Catering, CJ Bar-B-Que and Catering, Jan’s Pastries, Port Freeze and Catering, Top of the Line Catering, Westline Inn and The Willows Restaurant.
“I think it’s a great event,” Love said. “Everything’s been delicious, and so far, everybody’s been having a great time.”
Westline Inn’s Trudy Pomeroy was dishing out shrimp le jon and steak au poivre as quickly as she could, and hungry patrons were snapping it up just as fast.
“These have been the signature dishes of Westline Inn for over 45 years,” Pomeroy said.
During a brief lull in visitors to her table, she said, “I think the event is awesome! Anything you can do for the library is well worth it.”
She commented on the nice turnout for the event as well, as did her event neighbor and pastry chef, Jan Gallo, of Jan’s Pastries of Port Allegany. She was offering individual trays with a tempting and tasty sampling of different cookies, a brownie and a dessert bar.
“I think this is a great event,” she said. It was her second year taking part, and she commented that she saw an increase in business from this part of McKean County after last year’s event.
Gallo commended Bradford library for opening the event up to businesses from the region instead of just from Bradford.
Ed Vicic of Port Freeze, the defending champion in the Taste of Bradford competition and this year’s winner as well, said he had brought enough of his four separate dishes and one beverage for 150 servings. He was out of several things within the first hour.
“I’m very excited to be back,” he said, while explaining to another guest the name behind the cheesy funeral potatoes — “people eat them at funerals.” He was offering two salads, an autumn apple spritzer and Aunt Roxy’s sweet chicken sliders.
Vicic is on the board of the S.W. Smith Public Library in Port Allegany, and said the county’s libraries are happy to support each other. “When Lacey asked us, it was an easy yes,” he said.
Sharon Rathbun of Top of the Line Catering dished up crab cakes and a new pasta dish, basil pesto pasta. She lifted the lid of the dish to show a serious dent in the contents. “I think it might be a hit,” she said with a smile.
Of the event, Rathbun said, “It seems like it’s going to grow every year. It’s great for the library, and it’s great publicity for all of us.”
Love said all the proceeds from the event will benefit the library’s campaign, which they hope will reach the goal of $50,000 to help with the library’s operating expenses.
