Taste of Bloomington

Hungry? How about some pan-seared salmon, Mongolian barbecue tofu skewers, crab cakes, Snickers pie, Jack Daniels filet tips and an extra cheese pizza? These are only a few of the items Bloomington residents and visitors will have the chance to sample this Saturday when over 36 local restaurants bring their fare downtown to the 20th annual Taste of Bloomington. The festival benefits two local food banks.\nAnd as if all that different food wasn't enticing enough, five local bands will be playing at the event, including Rich Hardesty, Crooked County, The Floating Men, Blue Moon Revue and Virginia Coalition.\nThe event focuses on allowing customers to experiment with and taste several different types of food, Talisha Coppock, the Taste of Bloomington co-chair says. "There's lots of great food. The atmosphere is one of a kickoff to summer," she says.\nAlthough it is a lot of work for the restaurants to participate in Taste of Bloomington, many owners and managers think giving back to the community is worth it.\n"(Taste of Bloomington) is a wonderful way to raise money for a good cause and have a good time," says Jeff Hamlin, chief operating officer of One World Enterprises, the company that owns Lennie's Restaurant, Pizza Express and Bloomington Brewing Company. The company has participated in the event for 12 years, but this is the first year only one of the restaurants will be involved. Pizza Express will be serving traditional pizzas, such as cheese and pepperoni, but will also have other items available from their extensive menu.\n"This is a great way to introduce our different crusts and sauces. People are looking for something exotic (at Taste of Bloomington)," Hamlin says. "It's a wonderful way to differentiate ourselves from the big guys." \nThe west Pizza Express store will have to make about 200 pizzas and will make 25-30 delivery runs for the event. The store will also still take regular orders Saturday. \n"They have a very busy night ahead of them," Hamlin says. "The westside store is gonna be rockin.' " \nBecky Wann, owner of Tortilla Flat, is also not concerned about making a profit, but with raising money for the two organizations and providing her employees with a fun experience. Tortilla Flat will serve fish tacos, burritos, black bean (tacos and burritos), Mexican potatos and chicken and beef soft shell tacos at the event.\n"The kids (her workers) like doing it; usually it's not really a money making situation," she says, noting that her employees donate their time to work at the event. A group of her employees will also be participating in the Waiter/Waitress race at 4 p.m. The relay race puts teams of four waiters from participating restaurants against each other. The teams must weave in and out of chairs while balancing a glass of water on a tray. The three best teams advance to a championship round and must do the same course again, but pop open a bottle of champagne at the end of the race. Laughing Planet and Colorado Steakhouse are past winners of the race, Coppock says.\nSteve Stutsman, general manager of Chapman's Restaurant, a locally owned and operated establishment, looks forward to the event every year, because it gives the restaurant exposure while allowing them to donate funds to worthwhile charities. \n"It's nice to get out there with the community; when we can help the community. It's obviously a plus for everybody," he says. Chapman's, which has participated in Taste of Bloomington for seven years, will serve apple, pecan and Snickers pie at the event.\nAbout 6,000 people attend Taste of Bloomington each year, and at the request of previous attendees, organizers are adding extended seating areas this year. Wonderlab will have a booth set up for children. The Indiana Pacers will also have a booth at the event, Coppock says.\nTaste of Bloomington patrons are encouraged to vote for their favorite dishes throughout the day. At the end of the day, the winners of several categories will be announced, Coppock says. \n"(The restaurants) take the voting pretty seriously," she says. \nWhichever restaurants win or lose in the taste contests, Hoosier Hills Food Bank and Monroe County Community Kitchen are sure to come out winners, as the event usually raises about $10,000 every year for the two organizations. \n"(The) restaurants take pride in being able to make a contribution," Coppock says.\nTaste of Bloomington runs from 3 to 11 p.m. at Showers Plaza, located at 7th and Morton Streets. Admission for the day is $5 and food items range from 50 cents to $3. All proceeds from the event go to the Monroe County Community Kitchen and the Hoosier Hills Food Bank.\nThe entertainment begins at 3 p.m. with Crooked County performing. At 4:30 p.m., Rich Hardesty will take the stage. The Floating Men will play from 6 to 7:15 p.m., and Virginia Coalition will play from 8 to 9:10 p.m. Blue Moon Revue will finish out the activity-packed day from 9:40 to 11 p.m.