Sample the flavors of St. Clair County at Strolling Taste Fest

"Laughter is brightest where the food is best." Irish Proverb

This old and wise saying could be one of the keys to building a healthy, vibrant community -- good restaurants. Paul Dingeman, Executive Director of CTV-cable 6, began promoting local restaurants in the area almost 10 years ago with the first Taste of the Market with Bryan Neiman, taped live at the St. Clair Farmers Market. Later, the show moved to Neiman's family business, Neiman's Family Market in St. Clair.

Each week, a different eatery is featured in a portable on-screen kitchen, where chefs demonstrate how they make one of their signature dishes. ATM has featured nearly 40 restaurants in the St. Clair County area since then. Dingeman says where and what we eat is a central part of life in a community. "The major events of life, personal and professional, are celebrated in restaurants," he says. "Acquaintances become friends around a table in the safe and controlled environment of a restaurant. Individuals become lovers across a restaurant table, sometimes."

C-TV, along with other sponsors, also brings the annual Strolling Taste Fest to St. John River District Hospital, in East China Township. Normally, people try to avoid spending time in hospitals, but this event, held in the main foyer, provides the chance for a more pleasant visit -- a night out sampling the best dishes in the county among friends and acquaintances. The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 at St. John Providence River District Hospital at 4100 River Road in East China Township. The cost is $40 per person. Tickets are available at Neiman's Family Market in St. Clair, St. John River District Hospital and The Sweet Tooth of Marine City.

Marine City Area Chamber of Commerce President Cheryl Devereaux said restaurants are one of the first destinations for an area and, if it has a good review, one that people will drive a fair distance to get to. "Eating is always a big part of tourism," she says. "Many of those people will then check out the surrounding area for shops and other local attractions and either stay or plan a trip back." Without good local restaurants, residents start going out of town more often and their money is spent elsewhere, she explains. "The more often this money goes out of town, the community declines."

That's why the success of a restaurant or food business can impact the success of ean entire community, Dingeman says: "Just look at downtown Marine City, and what effect Marine City Fish Company has had on the community."

The Taste Fest will feature dishes from the Sweet Tooth of Marine City, Marine City Fish Company, Murphy Inn, Dorsey House, Schoolhouse Grill, River Crab, Little Camille's, Moretz Catering, The Gallery of St. Clair County Community Mental Health, Achatz Soup, Catch 22 Bistro, St. John River District Hospital and The Voyager. This year's judges are St. Clair County Circuit Judge Cynthia Lane, Bob Gross of the Times Herald and Jeri Packer, editor of The Keel.

Judges will review and present the Best of Show, Best Appetizer, Best Entree, Best Display and Best Dessert awards. There will also be a chance for the night's patrons to vote on the People's Choice Award. Many groups bring the Taste Fest to St. Clair County: Fifth Third Bank, St. John's Providence Hospital, watchCTV.org, Neimans Market and Thorpe Printing Services. The proceeds will be split between River District's HOPE Fund, benefiting patients in need, and the East China Educational Foundation, which gives grants to teachers for educational programs and learning tools that promote learning.

Marci Fogal of the St. Clair County Convention and Visitors Bureau says the Blue Water area has a uniqueness that many other communities can't compete with -- its proximity to the water.
"Other communities are not going to have vintage taverns or breweries on the river," she says. "That's what's unique about us."

Jeri Packer is the editor of The Keel.