For the first time, Taste of Shelby County is in the hands of its beneficiary. The 2013 event, scheduled for Sept. 12, is being organized by the Greater Shelby Education Foundation, specifically its community relations director Kendall Williams, who took over in April.
“The [Greater Shelby] Chamber of Commerce has done such an amazing job,” she said. “Now, the Foundation is just taking over the reins. You won’t notice the change at all.”
Williams said attendees could expect an event similar to previous years. About 30 vendors from across Shelby County will spread out in the Cahaba Grand Conference Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m. These vendors, a collection of restaurants, wineries, caterers and more, will offer samplings of their signature dishes as live music fills the room.
“It’s a really fun, easygoing evening,” Williams said. “Vendors are always interacting with the crowd, and the crowd has a chance to meet with different sponsors, community leaders and members of the Shelby County school board.”
This year’s participants include Texas Roadhouse, Good People Brewing Company from Birmingham, Vizzini Farms Winery from Calera, Morgan Creek Vineyards from Harpersville, Taziki’s, Ezell’s and others.
“The food and drinks are always spectacular,” Williams said. “It’s a good idea to come hungry.”
New this year, the event will feature door prizes, including a $500 gift card to Books-A-Million.
As always, the event supports the Education Foundation as one of the organization’s largest annual fundraisers. The Foundation, according to the Shelby County Board of Education’s website, is a nonprofit organization that has awarded more than $500,000 to teachers in Shelby County Schools for classroom projects since it was founded in 1992.
Sponsors for this year’s event are Alagasco, Alabama Power, America’s First Federal Credit Union, Books-A-Million, Cahaba Grand Conference Center, Children’s Hospital of Alabama, Shelby County Reporter and Sysco.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the 6th Annual Taste of Shelby County, visit shelbychamber.org or call Williams at the Foundation at 682-5255. Tickets are $25.
6th Annual Taste of Shelby County
Sept. 12, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Cahaba Grand Conference Center
Tickets $25
Visit shelbychamber.org
or call 682-5255
Participating vendors
Cahaba Grand Catering
Texas Roadhouse
Vizzini Farms Winery
Morgan Creek Vineyards
The Pampered Chef
Good People Brewing Co.
Ezell’s Fish Camp
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Ozan Vineyard & Cellars
Rx Catering
Shelby’s
Ragtime Café
Mikey’s Grill
Tellini’s Italiano
Bernie’s on Main
Zaxby’s
Bistro proVare
Teresa’s Catering & Wedding Cake
... And more
