A crowd that numbered well above 200 Towson residents, business owners and community leaders arrived hungry at the Towson American Legion Post No. 22 on Thursday evening, Sept. 20, for the second annual Taste of Towson event, and it's safe to say every one left satisfied.
"Everybody is over the top this year," said Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, of the participating restaurants. "They all went above and beyond for this, and it just shows how much pride they have in the community."
The Taste of Towson, an event the Towson Chamber of Commerce put on to showcase more than 25 restaurants in the Towson community, took on a renewed importance this year after the chamber lost county grant money that went toward some of its downtown maintenance.
Hafford said around 230 people attended the event, with all of the profits going back into the community in the form of programming such as the Winterfest and street-scaping.
The chamber's costs to stage the event were significantly reduced when the American Legion donated use of the hall for the event.
Restaurants such as Souris', Towson Tavern, Miya Sushi, and Charles Village Pub served up an array of finger foods, exhibiting what their chefs are capable of to a crowd that may not have been as familiar with their work.
Hafford said the reason for the event was not only to bring the community together, but to showcase the restaurants in advance of what's always a busy holiday season in Towson.
Restaurant participating in this year's event were slated to include the following:
7 West
Arlon's
Bahama Breeze
Black & Gold Catering
Buddy Maratta's
Charles Village Pub
Corner Bakery Café
El Rodeo Cantina
Food by Fire
Gino's
Havana Road
Jake's NY Deli
Kathmandu Kitchen
Maui Wowi
McFaul's Iron Horse
Michael's Café
Miya Sushi
Panache Fine Catering
S&J Crab Ranch
Sam's Club
Season's Pizza
Sheraton Baltimore North
Souris' Saloon
Stoney River
Strapazza
Towson Tavern
TU Marriott