Utah residents looking to tantalize their taste buds are in for a treat this weekend with the 19th Annual Taste of the Valley on Saturday.
Taste of the Valley will be held this year at the Shops at Riverwoods from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10 per person or $38 for four.
[media-credit name=”Photo courtesy of Daniel Vineyard” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Taste of the Valley will be held this year at the Shops at Riverwoods from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Each year, the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts the event inviting community members to sample and taste some of the best restaurants in the valley.
According to Vanessa Perkins, chamber public relations and event intern, this year’s event boasts a larger venue drawing nearly double the restaurant participants of past years, as well as increasing the the ability to host more people.
Perkins shared with excitement how this year’s event should exceed last year’s. She said the event traditionally hosts as many as 1,500 people with 25 food vendors. This year, there are 45 food vendors with plenty of room and enticing activities to draw double the crowds.
“We’re really excited,” Perkins said. “It is going to be a lot bigger than it has been in the past with a broader spectrum of restaurants.”
Don Osmond, marketing director for the Shops at Riverwoods, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the event.
“The Shops at Riverwoods is excited to participate in a great Utah Valley tradition,” Osmond said. “This year, The Taste of the Valley is not only going to feature great food vendors, but a lot of fun family entertainment available in Provo.”
Osmond said additional activities will be available throughout the day including the Provo Beach Resorts flow tour competition, splash pads and live music by local artists.
The chamber organizes the event so food lovers can sample food from almost four dozen restaurants and eat until their hearts’ content. The vendors will offer myriad tastes that are samplings from their menus. The idea is to get participants to enjoy a large sampling from the great dining options in the valley.
Professional lifestyle blogger C. Jane Kendrick said she enjoys the event every year.
“It’s a great way to try the local food you can only get here in the valley,” Kendrick said. “We have many different cultures here and that comes out in the many different foods we experience. Last year we had a great sampling of local eateries. I thought it was convenient and a fun way to celebrate.”
Cafe Paesan will be participating again this year. Cafe Paesan owner Steve Stanley said last year was his first year as a new restaurant in the valley and participating in the event was a way to build his business. The cafe won “Best All Around Restaurant.” He said at last year’s event participants appreciated their fresh approach to food.
“It’s fun to get together with everybody,” Stanley said. “Last year we gained new ground with customers as a new restaurant. We love listening to what people have to say and you learn ways to improve your product.”
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