Winners announced for 2016 Taste of the Bluegrass

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)  –The finest food and drinks in Central Kentucky were represented on May 20^th at the 36^th Annual Taste of the Bluegrass, presented by God’s Pantry Food Bank.  Winners were selected in 10 categories in a People’s Choice vote and 9 categories in a Judges’ Best.

Judges for this year’s contest included celebrity representatives from Cumulus Broadcasting, iHeart Media, WKYT, WTVQ, WLEX, WDKY and local Lexington print publications. Most notably Herbe Café won Judges’ best for both Best Entrée and Best Dessert with their Blueberry Basil Burger w/Caramelized Onions and Spicy Blueberry Sauce and Fresh Orange Cake w/Orange Buttercream, Fresh Raspberry Sauce & Candied Almond Crumble. This was their first year participating in Taste of the Bluegrass.

For the second consecutive year, JW Steakhouse at Griffin Gate Marriott took home the People’s Choice award for Best Appetizer and Best Dessert.

People’s Choice Winners:

Best Appetizer: JW Steakhouse at Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa: Crab Cake w/ Corn & Avocado Salsa, Lime Mayo & Spicy Remoulade

Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated:  Coca-Cola

Best Side: Dad’s Favorite Cheese Spreads & Deli: Asiago Cheese Spread Shrimp & Pasta

Best Entrée: Lexington Diner: Caprese Burger

Best Dessert: JW Steakhouse at Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa: Griffin Gate Bread Pudding w/ House Made Bourbon Sauce

Best Bourbon: Four Roses Bourbon: Rose ‘Rita

Best Spirit: Bottles & Barrels: Kentucky Sunset Cocktail

Best Beer: West Sixth:  Heller Heaven Double IPA

Best Wine: old 502: old 502 Kentucky Lady

Best Decorated Booth: Tinker’s Cake Shop

Judges’ Best:

Best Appetizer – Han Cook In: Mandoo

Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage – Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated:  Illy Coffee

Best Entrée – Herbe Café: Blueberry Basil Burger w/Caramelized Onions and Spicy Blueberry Sauce

Best Side – Sullivan University: Seven Layer Salad

Best Dessert – Herbe Café: Fresh Orange Cake w/Orange Buttercream, Fresh Raspberry Sauce & Candied Almond Crumble

Best Bourbon – Four Roses: Single Barrel Bourbon

Best Spirit – J.B.’s Pr%f Alcohol Ice Cream: Mint Julep Ice Cream w/Chocolate Wafer

Best Beer – Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distillery: Race Day Session IPA

Best Wine – Old 502 Winery, White Noise

A record breaking number of tickets were sold to this year’s event with more than 1,700 people attending the 36^th annual event on Friday May 20th, which was sponsored by Quantrell Auto Group and Columbia Gas of Kentucky.  This year’s event is expected to generate more than $165,000 for the Food Bank. For every $10 given, God’s Pantry Food Bank is able to distribute $100 worth of food. That means more than $1.5 million worth of groceries will find their way to families in need as a result of the Taste of the Bluegrass.

“In our 36^th year, The Taste of the Bluegrass is a signature event for Central Kentucky and for our Food Bank,” says CEO Marian Guinn, she continues “the event continues to benefit hungry Central and Eastern Kentuckians as it raises money and awareness for God’s Pantry Food Bank to deliver millions of meals to our 50 county service area.”