The Taste of Cape Ann, the annual event that showcases dishes and other offerings from nearly two dozen of this area’s food and beverage purveyors, will once again offer up those samplings and more Wednesday night — with two local nonprofits due to reap the just desserts.
The fourth annual Taste, sponsored by the Times, gloucestertimes.com and Cape Ann magazine, celebrates the Times’ print and online Taste of the Times food pages and packages, which regularly spotlight video cooking demonstrations and allow online visitors to access thousands of recipes, is slated to run Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester. It will feature 22 restaurants, caterers, Cape Ann’s own distillery and other vendors.
The event serves as a fund-raiser, with all proceeds going to help Cape Ann Animal Aid and The Open Door food pantry and human service agency.
The two-hour “taste” includes culinary and liquid samplings from all of the participating vendors for the $20 admission — with all tickets available at the door on a cash only basis. Last year’s Taste drew more than 300 diners, who tasted offerings from sushi presented by Lattitude 43 to The Gloucester House’s seafood macaroni and cheese and beverages from Cape Ann Brewery.
The Taste of Cape Ann was launched in 2010 in conjunction with the Taste of the Times’ 100th video, and serves a purpose for the participating restaurants and other vendors as well.
“It gives us a chance to get out, say hello to the community, let them know that we are here, and that she should consider us when they’re considering their dining choices,” said Melissa Hobbs, special events coordinator for the Emerson Inn by the Sea in Rockport and its Grand Cafe.
The Emerson made its Taste of Cape Ann debut last year, and will be returning Wednesday night with samplings of Emerson Caprese — a skewered tomato basil and mozzarella appetizer, Hobbs said.
This year’s vendors include four first-time participants — Wally’s Blackburn Bistro, Olivia’s at Good Harbor Beach, Brother’s Brew, and Savour Wine and Cheese.
The full list of vendors showcasing at Wednesday’s event is as follows:
Wally’s Blackburn Bistro
Seaport Grille
Passports
Jim’s Bagel & Bake Shop
Sugar Magnolias
The Landing at 7 Central
Olivia’s At Good Harbor Beach
Cape Ann Brewery
The Landing
Guiseppe’s Ristorante & Piano Bar
Intershell Seafood Market
Brother’s Brew
Emerson Inn By The Sea/The Grand Cafe
Liquor Locker
Azorean
The Gloucester House
Seabreeze Liquors
Classic Cooks
Savour Wine and Cheese
Jalapenos
Latitude 43 Restaurant and Bar and Alchemy
Joe Langdon of Taste of the Times
Rosanne’s Biscotti
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