The 2016 Taste of Gaylord

March 4, 2016

Are you a foodie? Whether you’re a Gaylord local or simply planning a visit to the Alpine Village, Wednesday, Mar. 9 is a date for all foodies to mark in their calendars. That’s this year’s Taste of Gaylord, the premier event showcasing the best of Gaylord’s diverse and delicious restaurant scene.

CULINARY FUN

“The first Taste of Gaylord started back in the early 2000s,” confirmed Gayla Fitzgerald, membership service coordinator and event coordinator for the Gaylord Chamber of Commerce.

“The restaurants present their food at the convention center at Treetops Resort and the proceeds from the ticket sales go to fund a scholarship for one student studying culinary arts or hospitality management, and also to help fund the chamber as a nonprofit.”

Guests circulate the room enjoying unlimited food samples with their ticket; beer and wine tasting takes place in the middle of the event, sponsored by Bayside Beverage and AmeriFirst.

As the restaurants all contribute their food free of charge, the Chamber of Commerce purchases a $50 gift certificate from each restaurant and raffles those off at the end of the night.

SUPER SELECTIONS

Like previous years, Treetops will be stuffed with all manner of gourmet delights. The resort itself will present its own food selections, along with a host of restaurants whose expertise ranges from American fare to specialty cuisine.

“We’ll have fine dining from Michaywe in the Woods and The Ridge; Mexican from La Senorita; great mom and pop food from Arlene’s Diner (they usually offer kielbasa, sauerkraut and homemade noodles); pub food from Big Buck Brewery and a range of choices from the Gaylord Community Schools culinary arts program,” Fitzgerald said. “And I don’t know what Sugar Me Sweet is bringing — that’s the cupcake place on Main Street — but it’s sure to be something good!”

DINE AND DANCE

A series of trophies will be presented to the top restaurant participants, with awards for Best Food, Friendliest Staff, Most Creative and Best Presentation. Attendees can win extra prizes from the 50/50 drawing, which will offer a first prize of cash and a second prize of jewelry from local shop Hogan’s Jewelers. Live entertainment will round out the evening for the crowd, which Fitzgerald estimates at 300–400 people.

“We’re bringing in Jake Allen, he’s the popular local entertainer who’s also in the band The Cookies,” Fitzgerald said. “He’ll be doing a solo show with guitar for us.”

Lots of socializing, mingling and, of course, eating is on the schedule for the event, which runs from 5:30–8:30pm.

“It’s a fun, full evening of food tastings, listening to music and dancing,” Fitzgerald said. “Everyone’s in a good mood and the restaurants are great. I can’t even pick the one I’m looking forward to the most because they’re all so good!”

will take place Wednesday, Mar. 9, at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. For more information and/or tickets ($30), visit gaylordchamber.com or call (989) 732-6333.