Chamber benefit declared success
Local resident and Taste of Fort Scott Chairwoman Martha Scott has declared the fourth annual Taste of Fort Scott fundraising event a success.
According to a written statement provided by Scott, the event, which took place Saturday at the Liberty Theatre, attracted about 150 local residents and their guests. Guests who came to enjoy the food had access to nine food vendors who presented them with a number of mouthwatering delicacies, Scott said.
Participating caterers and restaurants offered a variety of foods at the event. Treats ranged from cubed sausages and c h e e s e s donated by Woods Super Market Deli to a chocolate fondue provided by M a r s h a ' s Great Plains Deli. Mayberry's Neighborhood Restaurant brought sautéed meats for participants to enjoy.
Guests were also able to savor the taste of authentic Chinese cuisine offered by the Hot Wok, a local Chinese restaurant, and pizza provided by Five Corners Mini Mart. Smokin' Mike's BBQ, a catering business owned by 2006 Good Ol' Days barbecue champion Mike Coyan, lavished attendees with barbecued meats and baked beans. McDonald's restaurant tempted participants to sample its chicken wraps and apples with caramel dip. Espressly for You, a local coffee shop, offered its new beef sandwich in addition to soups and coffee.
Event attendee Scott Nuzumsaid his personal favorite sample of the evening was a slice of peanut butter pie drizzled with chocolate provided by the Kress Tea Room and Pie Pantry.
Martha Scott said the food that the restaurants provided helped to make the evening a success.
"We appreciate their continued support of the Taste of Fort Scott. The participation of the restaurants certainly make the event," she said.
Scott said that she thinks residents were pleased with this year's event.
"So many people said that they enjoyed ' Taste'," she said.
Along with the food offered during the evening, Scott said that adult beverages, provided by Standard Beverage Company, were available for the guests to sample. For guests who preferred not to consume adult beverages, Scott said, the 7- Up Bottling Group, 415 E. Marble, donated non-alcoholic beverages for the evening.
"It's an opportunity to sample foods from area restaurants as well as sample beverages provided by Standard Beverage Company," Scott said.
Events of the evening included a silent auction and a live auction. The live auction was called by local auctioneer Jim Stewart, who has been in the auction business for 21 years. Though this was the first year that Stewart participated in the live auction for the Taste of Fort Scott, he said that he would be willing to do it again in the future should Taste of Fort Scott organizers ask him to do so.
Stewart said that many event attendees participated in the auction with enthusiasm.
"There was a good crowd of people and they were very spirited," he said.
Stewart auctioned off a variety ofdonated items. A pair of chaps donated by national rodeo champion Bo Casper was among the auctioned items. Also on the auction block was a saddle donated by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and a Wine 101 class donated by Standard Beverage Company, which was a sponsor of the evening's events. A Branson trip and a signed Gordon Parks poem titled "Homecoming" were both donated by the chamber, Scott said.
Awards were presented in three different categories during the Saturday night event. A People's Choice Award, which was decided upon by the evening's tasters, was presented to Espressly for You, a first-year participant in the event.
Mayberry's took home the Committee's Choice Award this year, and Executive Chef Jim Smith from Five Corners was given the Chairman's Award. Smith is also a first-time participant.
Scott said the committee is honored to be able to organize an event such as the Taste of Fort Scott in town each year.
"This type of event is usually held in larger cities and the committee feels fortunate that Fort Scott can put on this type of 'big city' event," she said.
Proceeds from this year's event will be donated to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Currently, it is unknown how much money the fundraising event brought in. However, Scott said that it was a successful event which not only helped to raise money for the chamber but also provided residents with an entertaining evening. "This is not only a great fundraiser for the chamber, but it also is a fun evening and a chance to taste fun food and beverages," she said.