Riverside Golf Course Bistro & Bar chef James Wheeler, Chehalis, right, serves Bob Mielke, Olympia, during the Taste of Lewis County event at the Washington Hotel in downtown Chehalis Sunday afternoon.
Riverside Golf Course Bistro & Bar offers diners smoked duck carpaccio with a balsamic cherry reduction sauce at the Taste of Lewis County Sunday evening.
Decadent hot fudge mini cupcakes from Enchanted Sweets tempt Taste of Lewis County attendees Sunday afternoon in Chehalis.
Evan Yett, Olympia, hands a diner a small hamburger prepared by O'Blarney's Irish Pub Sunday afternoon at the Taste of Lewis County in Chehalis.
Plaza Jalisco served up a full-size taco. Devilfish offered a taste of a curry-flavored coleslaw. Coumbs Concessions cut up samples of Polish and German sausages.
With fare ranging from pizza to clam chowder to garden fresh green beans, a packed dining room testified to the success of the fifth annual Taste of Lewis County held Sunday at the historic Hotel Washington in Chehalis.
Two separate events that afternoon were filled to capacity as 200 guests sampled food from 17 different area restaurants.
While entrees were tasty, desserts also held court.
Enchanted Sweets teased guests with bite-size pink champagne cupcakes and treats filled with hot fudge.
Penny's Cakes served up full slices of cake topped with their famed butter cream frosting.
For many dining guests, the trek to the event has become an annual occasion to enjoy fine food, explore new area restaurant and gather with friends and family.
Janet Lawrence of Centralia has attended the Twin Cities Rotary dining fundraiser all five years.
"A whole group of us decided we'd try it," she said.
Lawrence said she enjoys the event because of all the different types of food and the time spent with friends.
"It's just a nice event and for a good cause," she said. All funds raised support local charitable projects.
This was Helen and Tracy Houk's first year at the Taste of Lewis County. The Chehalis couple intended to taste samplings from all 17 vendors.
"We're going to try it all," Tracy said. "I just love it. It's awesome - a real good way to sample what's out there."
Tracy said he'd already tried the sushi, noting it was the first time he'd ever had sushi. Tracy had also sampled a cranberry mustard on sausages.
"It's really good," he said.
Bob Terrell of Chehalis exclaimed over the Thai food.
"It's a really spicy rice," he said, "but it's really good."
His wife Virginia commented on food prepared by Good Health Nutrition Center.
"The green beans are excellent," she said.
Oakville resident Shirley Mitchell said she's attended the past two years looking for new restaurants to try.
"It's a fun time and good food," she said. Mitchell said she really enjoyed the hummus dip with chips.
Behind-the-scenes planning made the event run seamlessly, with Rotary members Kathy Goodman greeting guests as they entered the upstairs dining room and Neil Rizzo collecting cash and handing out punch-card tickets.
Rizzo said he starts in October approaching area restaurant owners to see who might want to participate. Then in November, he checks back with them to see if they're still planning to attend. New vendors are always welcomed, he said.
In all, 20-some Twin City Rotary members volunteered at the event, assisting in duties ranging from set-up to clean-up.
Rotary fundraiser chairman Arnold Haberstroh said this "is probably one of our best events. It's a win-win situation for us as a club, for the community and the restaurants.
"It just keeps getting better and better every year," Haberstroh said of the event.
All funds from the $20 ticket price go back into the community for various charitable projects, Haberstroh said.
For the restaurants, they win because of the advertisement the event provides, making community members aware of their fare. Haberstroh pointed out that all food served at the event is provided free by the restaurants.
The Rotary's next event is the Wine, Cheese and Beer Event to be held April 13, again at Hotel Washington.
