AROUND WELLINGTON STORIES OF THE MONTH
Taste of the West 2009
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will present its 12th annual Taste of the West and Chocolate Lovers’ Festival on Thursday, June 4th at the South Florida EXPO Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach. Palms West Chamber Executive Director, Jaene Miranda says, “Due to the success of this very popular west central communities’ event, we found a great venue . . . the Expo Center is the ideal space to grow, and also provides easy accessibility for attendees from all locations in Palm Beach County.”
We asked Special Events Coordinator Catherine Engel a few questions about this year’s Taste of the West event.
Tell us about the Taste of the West. How did it get started?
The Palms West Chamber’s Taste of the West and Chocolate Lovers’ Festival was previously held at the Royal Palm Beach High School Cafeteria for many years. The event has now grown into the western communities’ premier food tasting event and business expo with over 1500 people taking part in the fun. Because of this growth, the Chamber was thrilled to move the event to the South Florida Fair’s Americraft Expo Center which provides a comfortable and spacious indoor setting for our restaurants and businesses to showcase their products.
What’s one of the favorite “forms of chocolate” that people will see (and taste) at this event?
The chocolate desserts are everyone’s favorite; it seems that people gravitate towards Hoffman’s Chocolates. They bring this amazing chocolate fountain, where you can pick your dipping munchies. It is sinful!
What’s new this year?
A Kids Cooking Corner has been added. Sponsored by Whole Foods Market, kids will wallow in chocolate as they learn how to make delectable chocolate treats with Dianne Morin of Marroc Cooking for Kids. Kids will also learn about “The Science of Chocolate” at the Science Museum booth. Participating children must be pre-registered to participate. Visit www.palmswest.com to sign up. Or call (561) 790-6200.
What’s your own favorite thing about the Taste of the West?
Well, of course, all the delectable food samples from our local restaurants.
Tell us about the chef competitions that will be taking place this
year.
Using all of their imaginative cake decorating skills, four chefs from the Florida Culinary Institute will share their expertise in the art of chocolate cake decorating at the Americraft Kitchen, Center Court.
For more information about this special event, contact the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at 561-790-6200.