May 9, 2006 > A tasty treat

by Gerry Johnston

Enjoyment was mandatory on a splendid afternoon at the 11th annual Taster's Showcase at the Hilton Hotel in Newark on Sunday, May 30th. Presented by Kidango as a benefit for their nutritional program for children, participants sampled food from Applebee's, Bleu Ginger, Blue Agave at Pearl's, Burrito Loco, Fellini O, La Pi--ata, Panera Bread, Papillon, Pizzeria SFO, Spin a Yarn, Tango Sushi and cookies of your dreams from Figeroid Enterprises and Tyme for Tea & Co.

Libations were not forgotten as attendees voted for their favorite red and white wine after sampling vintage selections from Chouinard Vineyards & Winery, Crystal Basin Cellars, Red Skye Wine, Retzlaff Wines, Thomas Coyne Winery and Westover Vineyards & Winery. For beer connoisseurs, lager or Scotch Ale from Devil's Canyon Brewery soothed the palate.  Soft drinks, courtesy of the Seven-Up Bottling Company were also available.

In the midst of the culinary delights, a spirited live auction of vacation getaways and many more great items held the crowd's attention while a few slipped away to bid on the silent auction items including tickets to Giants and A's games, paintings and sculptures.

If you missed this event, don't forget to put it on your calendar for next year. Kidango holds the Taster's Showcase every spring. To be reminded or contact Kidango about other activities, contact Nancy O-Rourke (510) 744-9280, ext. 18 or at norourke@kidango.org.