Tasty
Culinary Arts Festival draws massive crowd

Review by Joshua Maloni
July 13, 2006

When folks in Cheektowaga are talking about driving to Lewiston – a 40-minute ride – to attend the Culinary Arts Festival, then by Jove you’ve got yourself a recipe for success. On Sunday, the Lewiston Council on the Arts hosted the event formerly known as the Taste of Lewiston along Center Street in the village. More than 60 vendors, businesses and restaurateurs spread from Sixth Street to Fourth Street offering an assortment of inexpensive samples – and by inexpensive we mean tickets went for 50 cents apiece; and by samples we mean large quantities of gourmet food stuffed into hot dog boats and on paper plates. For the second year in a row, the weather was cooperative. A brief rain shower was a relief from the mid-80 degree afternoon sun. Patrons, sun screened and water bottle toting, bounced back and forth from booth to booth like pinballs, as an array of entertainers (belly dancers, ice sculptors, musicians) performed at a half-dozen locations.

Phil Inglima and Gabriele Renzi of Filippo’s Ristorante.

Irene Rykaszewski (left) and Eva Nicklas (right).

“The Taste is a wonderful community event,” said Eva Nicklas, LCA artistic director. “Every one had a great time.”

What this writer and former judge spent tickets on:
Fried calamari – Filippo’s Ristorante
Toasted ravioli – Brio Pizzeria
Pulled pork wrap – Water Street Landing
Guinness wings – Steelhead Irish Pub
Vodka penne – Carmelo’s Coat of Arms
Orange smoothie – Wegman’s Food Markets

Culinary Arts Festival Official Winners:

Culinary Competition
•Best Appetizer: Caribbean Oyster Martini, Clarkson House
•Best Side Dish: Garlic Bread, Brio Pizzeria
•Best Entrée: Quiche & Savory Roll, Village Bake Shoppe
•Best Ribs: Smokin’ Tom’s BBQ
•Best Pizza: Destino’s Pizzeria
•Best Sandwich: Pulled Pork Plain, Smokin’ Tom’s
•Best Dessert: New Orleans Bread Pudding, Village Bake Shoppe
•Best Booth: Artichoke French
•Best Food Display: Caribbean Oyster Martini, Clarkson House

Artichoke French

Winery Categories
•Best White Wine: Semi Dry Vidal, Niagara Landing
•Best Red Wine: Baco Noire, Niagara Landing
•Best Dessert Wine: A Pear Made in Heaven, Winery At Marjim Manor
•The People’s Choice Award (based on total sales):
Fortuna’s Restaurant

The New York Klezmer Orchestra.