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October 22, 2009

Nibble time!: Taste of the Andovers is Oct. 28

Sample the best from more than 20 food establishments in the Andovers

By Judy Wakefield

The event is now called the Taste of the Andovers, as North Andover restaurants joined the party last year. The event is now held at the much larger Wyndham Andover, rather than the Town House on Main Street.

But one thing will most likely never change about the former Taste of Andover event: Homemade clam chowder and sour cream coffee cake made from scratch by culinary students at Greater Lawrence Technical School will continue to make the "must eat" list.

The Taste of the Andovers next Wednesday, Oct. 28, will once again allow at least 22 local food establishments to showcase some of their top items, and allow residents to taste them all. One of the staples is from the kitchen of the River Road school.

"People really enjoy our items, so we never change them. People would be too disappointed," said Heidi Riccio, GLTS hospitality instructor. "Once again, our menu will have our chowder, which uses heavy cream, and our coffee cake."

Riccio said the popular Taste of the Andovers event is a chance for the school's culinary and hospitality students to shine.

"We get to showcase what we do here and we look forward to it every year," said Riccio, noting that the school has been involved with the Taste event for the 14 years she has been at the school.

But it's not just the students' food that is showcased. Usually dressed in crisp white shirts, bow ties and matching aprons, GLTS students help with serving and cleaning up at the event.

"It's 50 percent food and 50 percent service here, that's what we teach our students," she said. "We've shown the community how professional we are and as a result, some of our students have landed jobs."

She cited the Lanam Club in Andover as an example. Students have been hired there after Lanam management met them at a Taste event.

"So we're thrilled with this event. It's a showcase for us and the community likes to see that," she said.

Plus there's scholarship money involved. Proceeds from the event's ticket sales go to a scholarship fund for students. Last year's scholarship winner is now attending Johnson & Wales, a culinary college, Riccio said.

She said the school offers lots of opportunities for students on its educational menu. Taste of the Andovers is a great way to get a sample of the curriculum's results - and of the food from nearly two dozen other local food establishments including Greater Lawrence Tech.

TASTE OF THE ANDOVERS

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Wyndham Andover, Old River Road, Andover

$25, proceeds benefit scholarships

Tickets available at Enterprise Bank, 8 High St., Andover

cash, checks only

WHO'LL BE THERE?

From Andover

99 Restaurant

Andover Country Club

Chateau Restaurant

Cronin's Ice Cream

Dylans Bar & Grill

Glory

Greater Lawrence Tech School

Hometown Seafoods

I Dream of Jeannie Cakes

Lanam Club

Longhorn Steakhouse

Marland Place

Palmers

Sweet Mimi's

Whole Foods

Wyndham Hotel

From North Andover

Bollywood Grill

Burton's Grill

Fuddruckers

Sandrino's Best Of Thymes

The Meat House

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Nibble time!: Taste of the Andovers is Oct. 28
by By Judy Wakefield , , Thu Oct 22, 2009, 05:58 AM EDT
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