On January 19, over 400 foodies and friends of the Good Samaritan Shelter packed Franklin Commons for the 10th Annual Taste of Phoenixville. The Taste of Phoenixville is Good Samaritan Shelter’s largest fundraiser for the year and this year’s proceeds totaled over $40,000.

The 25 vendors at Taste of Phoenixville ran the culinary range: from the lightly whipped, Lemon and Kale Hummus from FreshAPeel Hummus to the Irish Soda Bread Pudding drizzled with a Jameson Caramel Sauce by Molly Maguire’s. In between sips of Sly Fox’s Phoenix Pale Ale and bites of Marly’s Shrimp and Grits, guests danced to the Hytha Family Band and bid on auction items from local businesses and restaurants.

A new element was added to this year’s party as each guest was asked to vote on their favorite vendor. Picking just one favorite from the delicious lineup was easier said than done and the final tally was close. The top 10 restaurants and caterers (in alphabetical order, not by votes) were: Becca’s, Dia Doce, Hacienda La Michoacana, Ludwigs’ Gourmet Catering, Majolica, Marly’s, Montesano Bros., Robert Ryan Catering, Saint Peter’s Bakery and Tony’s Family Restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though I didn’t complete my goal of trying every offering at the event (I need to train harder for next year), I was still blown away by many of the bites I nibbled. The first dish I tried was one of the few that stood out amongst the evening’s dishes. Robert Ryan Catering’s tender, melt-in-your-mouth Pomegranate BBQ Short Ribs on top of garlic mashed potatoes was a fusion of sweet and savory.

The evening offered an opportunity to sample tastes of some of Phoenixville’s best eateries and Becca’s Restaurant has always been on my list of places to try. Their light and creamy lobster bisque along with mozzarella and tomato; BBQ pulled pork and chicken with caramelized onion flatbreads were perfect for an evening of wandering, wining and dining.

The vendor that got my vote for the evening was Ludwigs’ Gourmet Catering, whose table offered a mini three-course meal. Their appetizer was delicate puffed pastry with a warm Gruyere center, their entree was a shrimp scampi over a wild and long grain rice finished with Creme Sherry. The dessert was a diamond shape pecan pie.

My last bite of the night was something I haven’t stopped thinking about for the past few days, Saint Peter’s Bakery‘s Black Granite Torte. Layers of mousse separated the layers of rich chocolate cake and the entire cake was covered in a Chocolate ganache and topped with namesake chocolate coin.

“All-in-all, the wonderful community in Phoenixville, from the restaurants and caterers to the residents who attended, really stood up and helped make the Taste a huge success. All of our sponsors were wonderful and we appreciate what they all did for us,” said Good Samaritan Shelter’s Development Assistant, Dan Lamson.

Good Samaritan Shelter would like to thank all of the restaurants, caterers and sponsors – especially  Party Rental, Ltd., Choice Party Linens , Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust , and Robert Ryan Catering – who helped orchestrate another successful and delicious evening.

Funds raised go toward supporting Good Samaritan Shelter’s mission to “open the door to hope & dignity” by providing transitional housing and supportive services to homeless men, women and women with children throughout the Greater Philadelphia areas. Stay up to date with ways to get involved with Good Samaritan Shelter by visiting their website and facebook. Click here to view pictures of the evening, but be warned, photos will cause extreme hunger.