Article published April 29, 2009
Taste of the Nation sizzles with fun Sunday
At the Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Sunday were (l-r) Karyn Hajjar, Labib Hajjar, Eleanore Awadalla, and Lily Rietz.
 VIEW: 2009 Taste of the Nation photos
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By BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
The place to be Sunday night was the 14th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation at Fat Fish Blue in Levis Commons.
It sizzled with excitement as just shy of 1,000 people perused the fabulous foods and vino under a giant tent. Visiting chefs RJ Cooper, executive chef of Vidalia in Washington, and Michael Bulkowski, executive chef/owner of Revolver in Findlay, were there along with many great local chefs.
The evening included 40 restaurants and 22 wine vendors, who donated food and wine and the staff to serve it. Chef Eric Kish of Rosie’s Italian Grille worked nonstop as he prepared 550 marinated French-cut baby lamb chops. Meanwhile, many missed Rosie Barone, for whom the restaurant is named: She stayed home and left the work to her son, Phil Barone, and his staff.
Other local establishments included Asian Tea Tree Bistro, Cousino’s Navy Bistro, Georgio’s International Cafe, Mancy’s restaurants, Manhattan’s, Nick and Jimmy’s, Stella’s, Gladieux Catering, Real Seafood, and many others. Serving cooling treats was Handel’s Ice Cream.
The estimated net from the Taste, sponsored locally by Heidelberg Distributing Co., International Tableware Inc., and Pro-Pak Industries, is about $100,000 and may near $110,000 to add to the more than $1 million reaped since 1996. The proceeds benefit the Aurora Project, Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, Toledo Grows, and Toledo Day Nursery, according to event chairmen Gus Mancy, Moussa Salloukh, Marla Schecht, and Ty Szumigala.
Honorary chairmen were Dean and Becky Kasperzak, who were hosts of a ticket sales kick-off in January, and Labib and Karyn Hajjar, who were hosts of a pre-party in their home the night before the big event. Now that was a party in itself for about 100 people, including the chefs, sponsors, committee, and others. Leyla the belly dancer was the dazzling entertainment. Mr. Hajjar outdid himself with whole lamb and black grouper, mashed potatoes and artichokes, and other mouth-watering delights.
Among the 30 Taste of the Nation committee members were Terri Thompson, Craig Joseph, Kathy Rennels, Sue Hague-Rogers, and Keith Brooks.
The top ticket salesman was Corrine Mann.
At Sunday night’s Taste, calories were burned as guests danced to the tunes of the Bridges band, posed for their pictures in Photo Booth Live by Grand Lubell, and tested the beverages at the martini bar.
Winners of the raffle prizes, including a sparkling trinket from Licata Jewelers and little wrap from Toledo Furs, were announced. Leo Deiger won the fur coat, Shay Kennedy won the jewelry, and Maggie and Jeff O’Connell won tickets and accommodations to Chicago’s Taste of the Nation.
Among the movers and shakers who paid $150 to attend Taste of the Nation were Leo Dieger, Gary Marks, Rita Mansour, Jim Cameron, John Mancy with Lee English, Duke and Martha Wheeler with their daughter, Christy, and Eric Pfhol, Racha Naddaf with her brother, Mark Naddaf, Diane Larson with her daughter, Drew, Tom and Eileen Cousino, Joan Bayer, and many others.
Contact Barb Hendel at:bhendel@theblade.comor 419-724-6124.
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