Taste of Williamsville winners announced
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

The results are in from the 2007 Taste of Williamsville, and the winners are:

• Rookie of the Year: The Grille at Froghair

• Chairman's Choice: Baby back ribs at Hirsch's

• Best Food Booth (single best dish of all): Chef Sue's Chicken Rockefeller at Gate House Grill

• Best Decorated Booth: Sweet Jenny's Candy

• Best Dessert: Tiramisu at DiCamillo Bakery

• Best Snack/Pizza Item: Chicken finger pizza at Sorrentino's

• Best Meat/Poultry Item: Chicken quesadillas at La Tolteca Restaurant

• Best Seafood Item: Lobster bisque at the Grille at Froghair.

• Best Vegetarian Item: Artichokes au gratin at Bing's Restaurant

• Mayor's Award: Apricot chicken salad at the Eagle House.

• Supervisor's Award: Sushi at O Restaurant.

"Overall, the event went well, despite some scattered showers in the afternoon," said Daniels, the event chairman. "In the evening the crowd really packed the Island."

Daniels noted that more than 50,000 tickets were sold at this year's event. All profits from the Taste go to beautification in the Village of Williamsville.

"We had seven new restaurants, and I didn't hear any complaints," he said. "We try to limit the number of chain restaurants because we like to support the smaller operations."

As far as choosing the winners, Williamsville Mayor Mary Lowther and Town of Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan, as well as others recruited from the community, had the difficult task of eating as much as they could and picking their favorites.

"We had to listen to what other people raved about, because there was no way you could eat your way through 19 restaurants," Daniels said.

The overall winner of the pie baking contest and winner of a $50 gift certificate to any participating Taste restaurant is Kelli Sonnefield, whose entry of a triple berry pie won for its "outstanding appearance, crust and perfect cut."

"I was actually at the grocery store and wanted to make a berry pie, and the freshest berries they had were blueberries, strawberries and raspberries," said Sonnefield, a 22-year-old Buffalo State College student who resides in Clarence. "The crust is my grandmother's recipe, and I do the lattice topping for a lot of the pies I make."

Sonnefield chose the Eagle House Restaurant for her gift certificate after trying - and liking - its entries at the Taste.

Second place went to Caroline Schlifke for her pecan pie.

The winner of the most original pie was Linda Hiatt-Bogdon for her nectarine rhubarb pie with a walnut-almond crust. Second place went to Catherine Jasinski for her strawberry cream cheese pie.

The Schlosser family won the Best Fruit Pie category for the peach streusel. Second place went to Debbie Griffin for her apple with raisin pie.

The pie judging panel, headed by Village Justice Jeffrey Voelkl, included Channel 4's Mylous Hairston.

Daniels said he is looking forward to next year's Taste. He noted that suggestions have been made that the village should consider having the event from 4 to 9 p.m. rather than all day.

"I know Clarence has had success with the shorter event," he said. "We'll be polling the restaurants to see what they think, though."

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com