Taste of the Village Spotlights Downtown Food

Glendora’s Business Improvement District is ready to showcase the city’s downtown Village as a destination for food lovers at its Taste of the Village festival 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 on Glendora Avenue.

While last year’s food fest suffered a lackluster attendance, this year boasts an appearance by , as well as samplings from some of the Village’s premier restaurants.

Participating restaurants include , , , , , Ed’s Place, , ,, the and the. Retail stores and services will be open as well.

Guests can also enjoy live open-air music and a chance to win a variety of raffle prizes.

“Unfortunately, we only sold 137 tickets last year because it was a really bad time of the year to host the event. It was close to graduation, people were on vacation,” said BID member and event coordinator Lois Sparling. “This year, there’s a lot of excitement for the event and we’re not competing against other big area events.”

This year, 350 tickets for the Taste of the Village are on sale for $25 each.

Reality show contestant Everman is showcasing her signature rice krispies crab cakes, the dish that won her a challenge during an episode of the Next Food Network Star.

The owner of Jyllicious Bites will be at the handing out samples of her crab cakes, as well as the recipe for her famous cakes.

Although Everman said business has been booming for her appetizer catering business. The Wisconsin-born chef is finding herself busy with catering orders, cooking classes and demos.

“I’ve had some really great support since the show ended,” Everman said.  “It’s great to see how being on the show has broadened my connections to this area…I’ll be shopping at a grocery store in Glendora, and people will come up to me and say, ‘Wolfgang Puck was so mean to you!’”

Tickets are limited and are available from Village merchants and businesses or online at www.TOV2011.EventBright.com. Online purchasers may pick up their tickets in exchange for their online receipts at the registration table set up in the Village Plaza.

For more information about “Taste of the Village,” call , (626) 914-4100 or visit the Glendora Village’s website at www.villageglendora.com.