Hungry for education

Education funding will be served up in a wide variety at this year’s Taste of Shelby County on Sept. 11.

In the event’s seventh year, the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation will host 30 caterers, restaurants, wineries and breweries in support of Shelby County Schools.

After stepping inside, guests will have all-you-can-eat access to all the vendors’ samplings. This year’s live music by Duke School of Music will feature several student singers. 

“I am looking forward to great food and entertainment,” board member Judy Tramble said. “Also, I always discover new restaurants in the county.” 

The idea for the first Taste of Shelby County came after the board decided to stop its annual gala in 2008.

“Everyone was doing a gala, so we decided to start doing a taste,” said former executive director of the Foundation Carol Bruser. 

After being organized by the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce for several years, the Foundation took over again last year. 

This year’s vendors include Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Earth Fare, CM Foodservice, Zaxby’s, Vizzini Farms Winery, Wooden Spoon, Bernie’s On Main Street, Ozan Vineyard & Cellars, Newk’s Eatery, Primeaux Cheese & Vino, Dixie Fish Company, Coca-Cola, Good People Brewing Company, RX Catering, Vincent Gardens Pecans, Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes and The Coal Yard.

“I was so impressed last year by the vendors,” Bruser said. “[The event] is a win-win for everybody.”

The first 100 guests through the door will receive a souvenir wine glass.

For more information, visit shelbyedfoundation.org.