God’s Pantry Food Bank Announces People’s Choice and Judges’ Best Awards
LEXINGTON, KY. –The finest food and drinks in Central Kentucky were represented on May 20th at the 36th Annual Taste of the Bluegrass, presented by God’s Pantry Food Bank. Winners were selected in 10 categories in a People’s Choice vote and 9 categories in a Judges’ Best.
Judges for this year’s contest included celebrity representatives from Cumulus Broadcasting, iHeart Media, WKYT, WTVQ, WLEX, WDKY and local Lexington print publications. Most notably Herbe Café won Judges’ best for both Best Entrée and Best Dessert with their Blueberry Basil Burger w/Caramelized Onions and Spicy Blueberry Sauce and Fresh Orange Cake w/Orange Buttercream, Fresh Raspberry Sauce & Candied Almond Crumble. This was their first year participating in Taste of the Bluegrass.
For the second consecutive year, JW Steakhouse at Griffin Gate Marriott took home the People’s Choice award for Best Appetizer and Best Dessert.
People’s Choice Winners:
Best Appetizer: JW Steakhouse at Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa: Crab Cake w/ Corn & Avocado Salsa, Lime Mayo & Spicy Remoulade
Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated: Coca-Cola
Best Side: Dad’s Favorite Cheese Spreads & Deli: Asiago Cheese Spread Shrimp & Pasta
Best Entrée: Lexington Diner: Caprese Burger
Best Dessert: JW Steakhouse at Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa: Griffin Gate Bread Pudding w/ House Made Bourbon Sauce
Best Bourbon: Four Roses Bourbon: Rose ‘Rita
Best Spirit: Bottles & Barrels: Kentucky Sunset Cocktail
Best Beer: West Sixth: Heller Heaven Double IPA
Best Wine: old 502: old 502 Kentucky Lady
Best Decorated Booth: Tinker’s Cake Shop
Judges’ Best:
Best Appetizer – Han Cook In: Mandoo
Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage – Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated: Illy Coffee
Best Entrée – Herbe Café: Blueberry Basil Burger w/Caramelized Onions and Spicy Blueberry Sauce
Best Side – Sullivan University: Seven Layer Salad
Best Dessert – Herbe Café: Fresh Orange Cake w/Orange Buttercream, Fresh Raspberry Sauce & Candied Almond Crumble
Best Bourbon – Four Roses: Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Spirit – J.B.’s Pr%f Alcohol Ice Cream: Mint Julep Ice Cream w/Chocolate Wafer
Best Beer – Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distillery: Race Day Session IPA
Best Wine – Old 502 Winery, White Noise
A record breaking number of tickets were sold to this year’s event with more than 1,700 people attending the 36th annual event on Friday May 20th, which was sponsored by Quantrell Auto Group and Columbia Gas of Kentucky. This year’s event is expected to generate more than $165,000 for the Food Bank. For every $10 given, God’s Pantry Food Bank is able to distribute $100 worth of food. That means more than $1.5 million worth of groceries will find their way to families in need as a result of the Taste of the Bluegrass.
“In our 36th year, The Taste of the Bluegrass is a signature event for Central Kentucky and for our Food Bank,” says CEO Marian Guinn, she continues “the event continues to benefit hungry Central and Eastern Kentuckians as it raises money and awareness for God’s Pantry Food Bank to deliver millions of meals to our 50 county service area.”
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About GPFB
The mission of God’s Pantry Food Bank is to reduce hunger in Kentucky through community cooperation making the best possible use of all available resources. Along with our network of nearly 400 member agencies the Food Bank serves 50 counties of Central and Eastern Kentucky distributing $100 worth of food for every $10 donated. Last year, God’s Pantry Food Bank and its member agencies distributed more than 26 million pounds of groceries to more than 190,000 individuals, including 8.2 million pounds of fresh produce. God’s Pantry Food Bank is a member of Feeding America. Through community partnerships and distribution of food to 50,000 agencies, Feeding America collectively works to assure that people in need have access to a balanced diet. For more information visit us at http://www.godspantryfoodbank.org or www.feedingamerica.org
