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Get a taste of Hoover’s best eats

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Officially, the 4th Annual Taste of Hoover is an opportunity to sample food from some of the best restaurants in the city. Unofficially, it’s something just a touch different.

“It’s kind of like a big lawn party, is what I call it, like a garden party,” said Aldridge Gardens CEO Tynette Lynch.

Aldridge Gardens plays host to the party on Oct. 22, beginning at 5 p.m. and finishing three hours later. As of Tuesday night, 28 Hoover restaurants and nine catering companies were scheduled to participate, Lynch said. In addition, the Jefferson State Culinary and Hospitality Institute will have cooking demonstrations throughout the evening.

International Wines and Back Forty Beer will provide wine and beer tastings, and Coca-Cola and Royal Cup Coffee will serve soft drinks, water and coffee, Lynch said. Musical entertainment will be provided by local artist Racquel Lily. 

“It’s really a relaxed and casual evening for people,” Lynch said.

Lynch said the format of the evening changed last year to provide a more relaxing setting for patrons. During the first two years of the event, it was “more like a reception. You stood up, tasted, walked around.”

That changed last year.

“It’s a little different than most tastings,” Lynch said. “We actually set up white tablecloths, tables and comfortable chairs all throughout the gardens area. People kind of claim the table, with friends, and they go and get their tastings and their food. You can go through as many times as you want.”

Lynch said they’ve told restaurants to expect to serve about 400 people. Ticket sales were cut off to ensure that no one runs out of food. Last year, she said, no restaurant ran out of food before the event ended.

The event is more than just an enjoyable evening for the guests.

“We look at is as an opportunity for Hoover restaurants to (showcase) their food,” Lynch said. “It’s an opportunity for new restaurants to get exposure.”

Several newer restaurants in the community will participate, including Bare Naked Noodles, Capers on Park Avenue, Pie Five Pizza Co. and Fried Green Tomatoes.  Taqueria Mexico will be serving out of food carts.

“That’s a cool thing,” Lynch said. “They will bring two or three food carts. We ask the restaurants, instead of doing a table with. We ask them to do a display. We will give first-, second- and third-place ribbons for the best display of their food on their food table.”

Tickets for the event were $25 for Aldridge Gardens members and $35 for non-members and are sold out. Parking will be available on site and at the adjacent First Seventh-day Adventist Church.  

Taste of Hoover

This year's vendors include: 

This article was updated at 8:40 p.m. on Oct. 20.

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