By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Taste of Buffalo organizers estimate that 500,000 people attended this year's two day event.
The 25th annual Taste of Buffalo festival wrapped up Sunday. Several participating restaurant owners said they were very pleased with this year's turnout.
A panel of judges shorted through the variety of foods from close to 60 participating restaurants. Among this year's winners were Tandoori's Royal Indian Cuisine of Amherst. They won for best vegetarian food. Miss Goodies of Buffalo won for their junkyard dog fish sandwich.
And Village Desserts of Williamsville won for best dessert with their ultimate peanut butter cookie. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley talked with Lisa Sidel of Village Desserts about this year's Taste.
The judging took place Saturday, July 12 by a panel of honorary judges including representatives from the Buffalo-Niagara media, political and business sector.
The 2008 winners were:
People's Choice: Ms. Goodie's from Buffalo for their junkyard dog fish sandwich
Chairman's Choice: Joe's Deli from Buffalo for their muffaletta sandwich
New York Award (presented by Erie County Clerk Kathleen Hochul): Filippo's Ristorante Italiano from Buffalo for their Arancina (stuffed rice balls)
Lou Billitier Memorial Rookie of the Year Award: Fireside Inn from Lancaster for their lobster bisque soup
Best Seafood: Red Coach Inn from Niagara Falls for their lobster crab cake
Best Vegetarian Food: Tandoori's Royal Indian Cuisine from Amherst for their Sabzi Pakora (vegetable fritters)
Best Dessert: Village Desserts from Williamsville for their ultimate peanut butter cookie
Children's Choice: Clarence Center Coffee Company and Caf for their Oreo cookie shake
Best Wine: Casa Larga Estates from Fairport for their Fiorivadao ice wine
Best Overall Food: Lafayette Tap Room from Buffalo for their smoked BBQ chicken wings
Best Meat Item: JP Bullfeathers from Buffalo for their Jack Daniels glazed chicken fingers
Carol Ann Roe Memorial Best Decorated Booth : Tandoori's Royal Indian Cuisine from Amherst
Pat Sardina/Abby Stalker Memorial Award: Fiamma Steak from Buffalo for their tenderloin slider sandwich
Independent Health Healthy Choice Options:
First place: Kabab & Curry from Clarence for their Malai Tikki with vegetables (grilled chicken with vegetables)
Second Place: Clarence Center Coffee Company and Caf for their mango smoothie
Third Place: Tandoori's Royal Indian Cuisine from Amherst for their Saag Channa (spinach chickpeas w/ naan bread)
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Village Desserts at Taste of Buffalo now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.