Heart of Niagara's 'A Taste of The Niagara Region' to feature 30-plus restaurants, caterers and bakeries

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue's third annual "Heart to Heart" fundraising event, "A Taste of The Niagara Region," continues to gain momentum and support from Western New York's restaurant and culinary community. More than 30 restaurants, caterers and bakeries have signed on to donate food and dessert samples to the fundraising event, which is planned for Saturday, Jan. 31. The event will take place from noon until 3 p.m. at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St.

Heart of Niagara welcomes Big Cookie Cakes and Gino's Italian Bakery as participants in this family-friendly tasting event, which is growing in popularity with a wide variety of new participants signing on almost daily.

Restaurant, caterers and bakeries providing signature appetizers, main course items, desserts or beverages for the fundraiser include Bailey O'Riley's Village Pub, Baked Cupcakery, Big Cookie Cakes, The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q., Brio Pizzeria, Carmine's Catering, Como Restaurant, Conference & Event Center Catering, D&M Confections, De La Casa Mexican Restaurant, Donna Eick's, Favorite's Pizza, Formal BBQ and Event Catering, Gino's Italian Bakery, Grandpaws Café for Good, The Griffon Gastropub, Honey's Pizza, Johnnie Ryan Company, Kohinoor Fine Indian Cuisine, La Galera Mexican Restaurant, Legend's Bar & Grill, Mangia Café and Bakery, Niagara University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, One Eyed Jack's, Orange Cat Coffee Company, Paula's Donuts, Savor Restaurant at Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, Sweet Melody's, The Spicey Pickle Mexican Restaurant, The Village Bake Shoppe, Tim Hortons (Niagara Falls locations) and Water Street Landing.

Guests will vote on their favorite dish at the event and then name "The Best of The Taste of the Niagara Region."

More than $1,000 in prizes will be given away in a large basket auction. Prizes includes a signed Jim Kelly Buffalo Bills jersey, an autographed Buffalo Bills football from C.J. Spiller, a Buffalo Bills laser-signed photograph by Fred Jackson and another laser-signed photograph by Aaron Williams.

Other items include prize packages donated from Western New York tourism destinations Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at Kleinhans Music Hall, Corning Museum of Glass, Martin's Fantasy Island, The Riviera Theatre and Niagara University Theatre.

Other major prize drawings include overnight stays at The Barton Hill Hotel & Spa, a Moondance Summer Cruise for 40 persons, and an "experience" prize consisting of a WGRZ-TV studio tour and a live viewing of the 5 p.m. news.

Music, prizes and entertainment will be provided by "Classic Hits" WHTT 104.1-FM and Lewiston Music's Tony Petrocelli and student, Vincent Bonelli.

"A Taste of The Niagara Region" is a main fundraiser to help Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue continue its work of rescuing animals in need, providing medical care, and adopting dogs into loving homes. HON is raising funds toward the purchase of a building, which will allow volunteers to save more animals. 

Tickets are $20 per person. A paying adult must accompany all persons under age 18. Purchase tickets at any Heart of Niagara event or meeting, online through PayPal at www.heartofniagara.org, or pay by check or money order made payable to Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue (mail to Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue, PO Box 462, Lewiston, NY 14092).

Include an email address and phone number for receipt confirmation. Tickets will be held at the door for each guest. This eliminates the added cost of postage of mailing tickets out.

Heart of Niagara is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit companion animal rescue organization based in Niagara County. Its mission is to protect the health and welfare of abandoned, unwanted and homeless animals. To date, volunteers have adopted out more than 250 animals.

Heart of Niagara operates solely on donations and the generosity and support of the public. For more information on event sponsorship or to donate a basket or prize items for this event, call Linda van Harssel at 716-622-1213 or HON's main number at 716-345-7129, or email [email protected].