Taste of Buffalo 2015 — Results [PHOTOS]
Keith Kelly and I had the dubious honor of being Food Judges at the 2015 Taste of Buffalo. We struggled through it, but managed (note the sarcasm!).We each had FIVE restaurants assigned to us, with four plates to sample at each. So between the two of us, we had to sample 40 DISHES!
We're not complaining, we're just stuffed.
Of the five restaurants I was assigned, my favorite item was the fried pickles from Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill (below...lower left, half eaten...)
Keith's favorite item was the Salted Caramel Torte from Savor, which is operated by students at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute! (No picture -- Keith ate it too quickly. LOL!)
For the fifth year in a row, you could text a vote for YOUR favorite item to win The AT&T Fan Favorite Food award. This year it was the Seafood Cioppino from Templeton Landing.
The rest of the winners, as determined by the panel of judges Keith and I sat on:
- Chairman's Choice (chosen by 2014 Chairman Laura Jacobs): Sugar-Free Brownie w/ Sugar-Free Caramel Drizzle, Chrusciki Bakery
- Children's Choice (chosen by Aaron and Brendan Coe): Original Lemon Ice, Anderson's Frozen Custard
- New York Award (selected by Lieutenant Governor for New York State Kathy Hochul): Burmese Chicken Curry, Sun Restaurant
- Pat Sardina Memorial Award for Best Comfort Food: Risotto Sticks, Osteria 166
- Lou Billitier Memorial "Rookie of the Year" Award: 716 Food & Sport
- Best Overall Item: Lemon Sorbet with Fresh Berries, Sweet Melody's
- Best Meat Item: Jerked Chicken, Caribbean Experience
- Best Seafood Item: Carmine's Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Carmine's Restaurant
- Best Dessert: Sponge Candy Caramel Cannoli, Panaro's Restaurant
- Best Red Wine: Estate Reserve Chambourcin, Three Brothers Winery
- Best White Wine: Rosebud Gold, Niagara Landing
Independent Health Foundation's Healthy Options:
- First Place: Steamed Crab, Joe's Crab Shack
- Second Place: Arugula Salad, Osteria 166
- Third Place: Savor Salad with Marinated Chicken, Savor at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute
Already looking forward to next year!!!