Gluttons rejoice: Food festival season begins

Taste of Buffalo this weekend, Italian Heritage Festival next weekend

Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, July 10-12, 2008

Two of the largest food festivals in America will devour the streets of Buffalo over the next two weekends.

The 25th annual Taste of Buffalo kicks off Saturday, July 12, across Delaware Avenue. To mark the anniversary, a variety of new activities have been scheduled, including a cooking stage with culinary demonstrations courtesy of Mr. Food and “Hell’s Kitchen” contestant Shayna Raichilson-Zadok.

More than 150 culinary specialties will be served, courtesy of local restaurants such as Filippo’s Ristorante Italiano, Fat Bob’s Smokehouse, Anderson’s Frozen Custard, Bing’s, Fiamma Steak, Jack Astor’s Bar and Grill, Red Coach Inn, Shannon Pub, The Grill at the Dome, Zebb’s Deluxe Grill and Bar and Spicy Thai. Taste costs range from 50 cents to $3.50 per sample. A number of healthy options also will be offered.

“The Taste has evolved into the nation’s second largest food festival. We are showcasing nearly 60 restaurants along with a growing list of local wineries, two entertainment stages and, new this year, a cooking stage that will feature top local chefs,” event chairman Kevin Cavalieri said. “We expect a massive crowd, about 450,000 people who will come from Buffalo and beyond.”

In addition, festival proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank of Western New York, while gross proceeds from the Tops market tent will be bestowed to Junior Achievement of WNY.

Festival hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

From Thursday, July 17, through Sunday, July 20, the 22nd annual Sorrento Cheese Italian Heritage Festival will be held on Hertel Avenue, between Delaware and Colvin.

This year’s event features a tribute to ancient Rome. Twelve Roman goddesses and 12 centurions will be on the prowl throughout the weekend, and a replica of the Trevi Fountain will be on display.

“The cultural aspects of the festival are well-known,” said Jessica Ruth, spokesperson for Sorrento Cheese. “Last year, this area was permanently named ‘Buffalo’s Little Italy’ and this year, Sorrento Cheese is proud to be part of a tribute to Italy’s history and its strong ties with Western New York.”

Last year, an estimated 500,000 people attended the Italian Festival.

Of course, most of those folks came for the food. This year’s fare will come from restaurants including Romeo’s, Mister Pizza, Filippo’s, Lombardo’s, Mineo and Sapio and Bohemian Hostess. Like the Taste of Buffalo, the Italian Festival will feature cooking demonstrations and appearances by local celebrities.

In 2007, the Italian Festival raised more than $50,000. The funds were donated to sponsored community events.

The festival is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit www.tasteofbuffalo.com and www.buffaloitalianfestival.com.