People flock to Lake Zurich’s Taste

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Lake Zurich Sunday 8/28/11Chef, Masato Suzuki from D&J Bistro cooks Beignets during Taste of the town at Paulus Park. | Jerry Daliege~for Sun-Times Media

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Updated: November 4, 2011 9:06AM

More than 900 locals made their way to Lake Zurich’s Paulus Park to sample some of the town’s premier cuisine, desserts and beverages at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Taste of the Towns on Sunday.

“We are really proud of our committee,” co-chairman and Avalon Salon owner Bonnie Conte said. “We have some new entertainment at the table this year.”

The event, held at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, featured local restaurants, wineries and breweries, as well as local bands, dancers and children’s activities.

“Just like we are promoting local food, one of the key things we were looking for in entertainment was local talent,” Conte said.

Local bands Alex and the Allstars and The Cavern Beat performed popular songs for the diners, and dancers from the Trilogy School of Performing Arts entertained the crowd with five dance numbers.

While the dancers and bands created an upbeat atmosphere, the real focus was on the tasting booths.

The food ranged from basic burgers and potato salad, to refined les beignets aux pommes sauce caramel and farfalle alla donna. Each vendor prepared their signature plates or beverages for the crowd to taste in generous sample-sizes.

“This is my fifth year going, and I love seeing friends and sampling all the food,” Fox Lake resident Kathy Sayers said. Trader Joe’s summer veggie salad with roasted gorgonzola crackers is her favorite.

In years prior to the Taste of the Towns, the Chamber hosted a popular annual Oktoberfest that attracted a large crowd but wasn’t able to showcase Chamber members.

The members later decided to end Oktoberfest and instead host an event that highlighted local food and talent.

“Oktoberfest didn’t lend itself to promoting our members,” Chamber Executive Director Dale Perrin said.

Conte added that the Taste has become more fun, family-oriented and food-related than Oktoberfest, with a special attention to local business. A portion of the money raised from the event benefits the Chamber’s Scholarship program and its Young Entrepreneurs Academy. 

Cathi Volante, owner and master baker of the soon-to-be-opened Couture Cupcake Café, to be located at Kildeer’s Quentin Collection, presented locals with an assortment of smaller cupcakes. Volante also demonstrated what the public can expect from her upcoming café with a display including a football replica cake and a variety of cupcakes — from glitter to bacon.

“It’s the sweet and salty that you love,” Volante said of the bacon cupcake, adding that she flies most of the chocolate in from Switzerland, and that most of the ingredients found in the cupcakes are organic and made fresh the day-of.

Kathy Pederson, chef and owner of On Occasion Cater & Events, 1276 E. Dundee Road, Palatine, served up herbed chicken breast with buerre blanc and lemon butter cream sauce.

“We have a few things that we are known for, and we are popular for our savory means and desserts.” Pederson said. “On Occasion is a bit more boutique-y, and we do showers, weddings, and even team-building events.  

In addition to the dishes and drinks, the Taste also promoted local entertainment and businesses outside of the food genre; Jewel-Osco, 485 Ela Road, Lake Zurich, gave out Edy’s frozen ice cream bars, as well as bags containing items promoting health, in preparation for the upcoming cold and flu season; Casten Body Shop, 230 Oakwood, Lake Zurich, provided children with fun and entertainment with their “paint the car” activity; Trilogy School of Performing Arts, 490 E. Route 22, Lake Zurich, entertained the crowd on stage with its dance numbers; and Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool, 21955 W. Field Parkway, Deer Park, set up games and activities for young children.