On a pleasant late summer’s eve, a sold-out crowd of 880 people gathered to enjoy some of the best food in Blount County as 26 area restaurants, food trucks and caterers participated in the 20th annual Taste of Blount hosted by the Blount Partnership at the Theater in the Park in Maryville, Tenn.
“Community events like this, along with the support of local sponsors, are essential to showing the vibrancy of this area,” said Blount Partnership President Bryan Daniels. “The friendly competition among the vendors is great and Taste of Blount shows off the wide variety of places we have to eat here.”
Attendees voted for winners in seven categories while culinary experts handed out the Culinary Excellence Awards.
Rocky’s Jamaican Sunrise was the big winner once again as it won best main course for the 11th consecutive year as voted on by the guests. It also took home the best overall award.
Newcomer Pellissippi State also took home two awards for best appetizer and presentation.
REO Cheesewagon won top sandwich for the fourth straight year. Winning top dessert was Ham N Goody’s and Olmsted Beverage Co. won best beverage.
The Culinary Excellence Awards were judged by five culinary experts – Susan Headrick, Sherri McCall, Trevis Gardner, and Mandee & Eric McNew – who put their professional taste buds to the test and anointed winners in five categories. Vendors were asked to submit one food item for the judges to determine which topped their chart.
Pellissippi State’s culinary school was judged best appetizer for its crispy pork belly with pickled onion and slaw. REO Cheesewagon’s Blackberry Smoky was tabbed sandwich while Southern Grace Coffee Co. was judged best beverage for its Smoky Mountain Sunset. A&R Texas BBQ’s brisket took home the best main course and Between the Slices won for its pumpkin crumble pie.
The event was sponsored by Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Eberting Orthodontics, Food City, David Talley of LeConte Realty, GoTeez, CBBC Bank, Blount Senior Care Partners, Wilson Brother’s Plumbing, Michael Carr & Associates, Asbury Place, Maryville Acupuncture, Tennessee Mountains Realty Group, MB Consulting, Carolyn Forster, FirstBank, Simmons Bank, Coca-Cola.
2022 Taste of Blount People’s Choice Winners
Best Appetizer: Pellissippi State
Best Sandwich: REO Cheesewagon
Best Beverage: Olmsted Beverage Co.
Best Main Course: Rocky’s Jamaican Sunrise
Best Dessert: Ham N Goody’s
Best Presentation: Pellissippi State
Best Overall: Rocky’s Jamaican Sunrise
2022 Taste of Blount Culinary Excellence Award Winners
Best Appetizer: Pellissippi State
Best Sandwich: REO Cheesewagon
Best Beverage: Southern Grace Coffee Co.
Best Main Course: A&R Texas BBQ
Best Dessert: Between the Slices