1,000 ticket holders take in smells, Taste(s) of the Rock

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Just a taste? Hardly. The servings at Taste of the Rock may be sample-size but enthusiastic visitors of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce's premier "showcase" for local kitchens and distributors is a jaw jumpin' jubilee.

About three dozen restaurants, confectioners, caterers and beverage peddlers filled the River Market Pavilions on May 8 and welcomed a thousand ticketholders: at $15 advance, this event is one of the few underpriced fundraisers in the area.

Kamiya Merrick of Little Rock stepped up to an iPad game of chance and won a night's stay at a Choctaw Casino Resort and a $30 food voucher. A wise bet for a wager-less spin of the wheel!

The people's choice winner was Two Sisters Catering, which served grits and greens, brisket, its signature chocolate cake and a chocolate fountain with strawberries to dip. The Little Rock Marriott was runner-up with a New Orleans BBQ shrimp and spoon bread; the DoubleTree by Hilton was second runner-up with a prime filet mignon with bearnaise sauce.

Leftover food was donated to the Salvation Army, which, among other things, has been mobilized to provide aid to survivors of the April 27 tornado.

High Profile on 05/18/2014