Foodworks Alliance raises approximately $20,000 while promoting local restaurants at annual Taste of Muskingum
Foodworks Alliance hosted the annual Taste of Muskingum at Weatherington Woods on Wednesday, November 5th. Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union was the presenting sponsor for this year’s event.
Chefs from six restaurants: The Barn, Muddy Misers, The 146, Rake’s Place, Taste of Greece & Moroccan Street Food, and Tacology competed.
“I think in this modern world, we have lost sight, some of us have lost sight of the importance of the value of heritage recipes and real food. That was what brought me into this place, was I really care about real food, about slow food, about intentional food. Which is the antithesis to fast food, and quick food, and convenience food, and all that stuff. Which we all partake in once in a while, but it was really important to me to express, if we see the value in this, then what do we do with things that we value? We put our money into it. We buy into it. We book our events with them. We make it a point to go to these new and emerging restaurants and support them and show them our love,” said Foodworks Alliance Executive Director Amy Aurore.
After all 220 votes were cast, Muddy Misers came out the victor! They served their new signature dish, a harvest boneless pork chop from Phillips Meats, served with a sweet potato mash and topped with a dark cherry bourbon glaze. The dish can be ordered at their restaurant located at 112 Muskingum Ave., Zanesville.
“This year was the first year that I got asked, I want to say by five to seven different people, like, hey, next year can we have more nuanced voting?” said Aurore. “This year was the first year that people were like, I like this from this place, and I like this from this place, and I really want to vote for the best side, and I’m going to vote for the best main.” … “But I think the three winners were very well-deserved”
Second place went to Rake’s Place, which served Rake’s Place mac n cheese and pan-seared coulotte steak as part of their meal. Rake’s Place is located at 2207 Linden Ave., Zanesville.
The 146 received third place. They served baby back ribs, southern-style gumbo greens, and Dougie’s Mac & Cheese. Meats in the dish were sourced from Rittberger Meat Market. The 146 is located in the Colony Square Mall at 3575 Maple Ave., Zanesville.
“I want people to take a minute, and even if you have to spend an additional $10, $20, $30, bring your family to one of these restaurants. Spend your day before, your day after your holiday, supporting these chefs who have spent maybe their whole lives preparing for this. I truly believe inside myself that the love and intention and wisdom that goes into the recipes that they produce comes into us, and we walk away with a gift for that,” Aurore explained.
The event raised an estimated $20,000, which will help to support Foodworks Alliance and its mission to reduce food waste by turning unwanted ingredients into tasty meals, to support women in recovery through the Recovery With A Purpose Training Program, and to assist food-related businesses and farmers in our community.
Taste of Muskingum was heavily supported, with all individual tickets and all sponsorship levels selling out, including new levels that were just added this year.
Patty’s Mobile Bar was the bartender again this year, and DJ Adonis returned for the second year in a row to set the tone for the event and elevate the energy as the night continued. A new addition was Wright Vibes Photo Booth, which added something fun for attendees to enjoy while they were waiting for their turn to get their food. There were also some amazing silent auction items available to bid on, like Cleveland Monster tickets, Cosi tickets, and Cincinnati Reds tickets. Additionally, there was a wine pull featuring local and Ohio-made wines.
Foodworks Alliance can be found online at foodworksalliance.com or on Facebook @foodworksalliance.
CAPTION: Pictured from left to right are chefs from Tacology, Rakes Place, Muddy Misers, The 146, A Taste of Greece Moroccan Street Food, and The Barn. Three-time reigning champion top Chef Eric Stottsberry (center) from Smoke Therapy presented the awards to the winning chefs. PHOTO: submitted