'Forks and Corks' deemed success

The Espressly for You table at the 7th annual Forks and Corks Taste of Fort Scott event Friday evening at the Liberty Theatre offered attendees such specialties as chicken salad on crackers, pumpkin truffles, and coffee. Fourteen local restaurants and caterers were represented at the annual event, which also included live and silent auctions of various items donated by area businesses, a salsa contest, and unique beverages and liquors provided by a beverage distributor. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

Another successful Taste of Fort Scott event is in the books.

The seventh annual event, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and titled "Forks and Corks," took place Friday evening at the Liberty Theatre. Attendees enjoyed food specialties provided by 14 local restaurants and caterers, as well as unique beverages and liquors provided by a beverage distributor.

FSACC Executive Director Lindsay Madison said about 250 people attended the event, including many local residents and several out-of-town visitors.

"It was very successful," she said. "We had another huge crowd. I think everybody enjoyed it."

Madison said Monday the total amount of money raised through the event had not yet been determined.

The event gives local restaurants and caterers a chance to debut new items and showcase their products, and gives guests an idea of the different types of food and beverages available locally, Madison said.

"It reminds them of what we have," she said.

Woods Supermarket Store Manager Marlan Kirch, who is new to Fort Scott, attended Taste of Fort Scott for the first time this year. The store's deli was one of the vendors represented at this year's event.

Kirch said the event was "a lot of fun" and a "good social event promoting business and community involvement."

"I enjoyed it," he said. "I met a lot of customers there I already knew. There was a lot of camaraderie. I heard a lot of positive comments about our deli. I enjoyed seeing all the restaurant owners down there."

Kirch said even though the event was new to him, the Woods deli has been part of the event the last several years. He said the event is an opportunity for vendors to raise awareness of products they have and the quality of those products, and to "show appreciation for the customers they already have."

"It's good for business," he said. "I saw people there who had never tried our deli. It's good for everybody."

Two awards were handed out to food vendors at the event. The People's Choice award, which was voted on by attendees, went to Sharky's Pub and Grub, a restaurant and bar at 16 N. National Ave. The Best Presentation award, chosen by the committee that organizes the event, was presented to Cakes & More, a cake decorating and catering service run by Lea Kay Karleskint.

A new addition to this year's event was a salsa contest in which community members could enter their famous salsa recipe to be judged on taste, color and texture. Third place in this contest went to Mirna Santana, owner of La Hacienda Restaurant, second place was awarded to local insurance agent Kale Nelson, and first place was presented to Pat Lyons of the Lyons Twin Mansions.

Santana also won the People's Choice award for best salsa.

The event also included a live and silent auction of various items donated by area businesses.

The event enables the agency to continue efforts in tourism, economic development and support of downtown and other community businesses and organizations, a news release said.

All proceeds from Taste of Fort Scott go toward the chamber's general operating fund and are not earmarked for a certain purpose.