At least 18 Concord restaurants will serve samples at Nashawtuc Country Club on Tuesday, Oct. 20, for the annual Taste of Concord. A new raffle replaces the event's usual silent auction.
The raffle, called "A Year of Concord Food," will award the winner monthly dining specials at participating restaurants, The Concord Bridge reported. The change is one of several tweaks to this year's format organized by the Concord Chamber of Commerce.
"The restaurants really bring it," Pam Reed, the chamber's managing director, told the Bridge. "You do not leave hungry."
The main event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. General admission tickets cost $75. A VIP hour from 5 to 6 p.m. costs $130 and includes early entry to the main event.
During the VIP hour, the chamber is partnering with West Concord Wine & Spirits for a guided tasting of more than 50 wines. VIP attendees can also sample Grand Cru champagnes and tequila paired with oysters from Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms, owned by Concord resident Charmaine Gahan, according to the chamber's event page.
The vendor lineup spans tacos to olive oil cake. Elmer Melendez, owner of returning vendor Bandoleros, told the Bridge his restaurant will serve tacos al pastor. Chef Luis Angel makes the tortillas fresh daily with corn grown on small farms in Oaxaca, Mexico, the Bridge reported.
Amanda Williams, owner of New England Olive Oil Co., said her business will offer olive oil cake samples made with infused oils in blood orange and Persian lime flavors, alongside its Tuscan herb and garlic olive oils.
Other vendors listed by the chamber include Concord's Colonial Inn, Concord Teacakes, Caffè Nero, Debra's Natural Gourmet, Fiorella's Cucina, Gräem Nuts & Chocolate, Main Streets Market & Cafe, Dario's Restorante, Saltbox Kitchen, The Cheese Shop, Twin Seafood and Verrill Farm. Nashawtuc Country Club, the host venue, is also participating.
Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are available online or in person at West Concord Wine & Spirits, 1216 Main St., Concord.
