LAURINBURG — Attendees went mad for the scrumptious samples at the Scotland County Literacy Council’s Taste of The Town on Thursday night.
The theme was the Mad Hatter’s Tea party and restaurants, small and corporate businesses set up decorated tables along with the samples. Participants young and old enjoyed pizza, spaghetti, pimento burgers, sliders, soups, various cakes and sweets and of course tea. Some servers at the tables went all out, dressing in costumes and greeting each visitor at their table.
Campbell Soup, Pizza Inn, Hardee’s, The Scrambler, Dominoes, Graham’s Buffet, Nic’s Kwik Pic, General McArthur’s, Smithfield, Mamie’s Drive Inn, Joy Of Life Gifts, Texas Roadhouse and more tables were lined up around the room at the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church auditorium.
Participants young and old enjoyed pizza, spaghetti, pimento burgers, sliders, soups, various cakes and sweets and of course tea. Some servers at the tables went all out, dressing in costumes and greeting each visitor at their table.
Live music was provided by Gary Gallman as he played piano and sang top hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Three judges, Tis’ the Season Director Terry Parker, Chamber Director Chris English, and Professional Taster Calvin McIntyre formed a panel to vote for Top Chef, Best Dessert, and Best Dressed Table.
Mamie’s Kitchen won Best Chef, Graham’s Buffet won Best Dressed Table, and Joy of Life Gifts won Best Dessert.
“We just started, this is our third week,” said Madeline White, owner of Joy of Life Gifts. “we make custom baskets and specialty cakes. It’s something God gave me and this is the right time.”
After the crowd ate, cups were put on each table where the crowd could drop their marble to vote for People’s Choice. Captain Larry’s shrimp Alfredo helped the business take home that trophy.
“I feel honored that anyone chose us,” said Mikhail Vlahos, general manager of Captain Larry’s. “It feels good.”
Then began the door prizes and auction where the highest bid was $75 for a Craftsman drill, the next highest was a homemade upside-down pineapple cake that sold for $45 and the lemon cake for $40. Both of those cakes were from Cathy’s Desserts.
“A lady told me it was the best cake she ever ate,” said Cathy Bannerman, owner and baker of Cathy’s Desserts. “I do this for my mom, when I bake it’s like me and her are in the kitchen. My mom was a servant to people and now I am the same way.”
Proceeds from tickets and auction sales will go to support the Scotland County Literacy Council which aims to help improve the literacy skills of the men, women and children in the county.
Jael Pembrick can be reached at 910-506-3169 or [email protected].
