15th Annual Taste of Westmoreland

by Karen Fetter

The 15th Annual Taste of Westmoreland will be held this year on Saturday, March 10, 2007, in the Student Union (Chambers Hall) at the University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA. More than 1,000 people come to taste more than 35 premier restaurants and caterers from Westmoreland County. The Student Union is transformed into a festival of food, friendship and most of all, FUN!

This is the 15th year that Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) brings the Taste to Westmoreland County. Generous support of area merchants, salons, gift shops, and supermarkets, allows CEI to give away valuable door prizes throughout the fun-filled and affordable family evening. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the event will conclude at 9 p.m. Cost is $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Children 12 and under are $9.

The event showcases the very best of Westmoreland Countys eclectic restaurant offerings. The Taste is a tremendous asset to our community, one which increases commerce, encourages tourism, and showcases the quality of life right here in our hometown, said Sharon Pugliese, of Taste of Westmoreland.

Upon entering the event you can fill your plate with a wide variety of specialties ranging from hors d'oeuvres, entrees, specialty breads, ice cream, and other delectable desserts. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks as well as bottled water will be available for a small fee. DJ Andrew Miller will be providing music throughout the evening. Also, there will be a large Chinese Auction thanks to help from area merchants.

The atmosphere allows people to experience new food and sample what our acclaimed eateries have to offer all at one time. People can relax and mingle with family and friends. It truly is an event to look forward to.

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Restaurants and caterers that have signed on for the 2007 event include: Olive Garden, Pepperwood Grille, Soups On! Caf, Starbucks, Szechuan Garden, Willochell (Chocolate Indulgence), Cracker Barrel, DeNunzios, Falbos, Sams Club, DeGennaros, Ruby Tuesday, and Pedros. Restaurants continue to be added daily and a more complete list can be found at www.tasteofwestmoreland.com.

The Taste of Westmoreland places Greensburg and Westmoreland County in a very elite group of communities who realize the value of such an event in the growth and sustainability of their communities.

Terri Katzman and Bob Gelman co-chair the event. Robert Bob Davis serves as honorary chair for the 2007 event. The rest of the committee does everything from securing restaurant commitments to collecting prizes for the Chinese auction, door prizes, and silent auction.

According to Pugliese, it is a labor of love from the Congregation to the community in which it resides,  providing it with a keynote event that can be marketed as a tourist attraction and workforce draw by businesses throughout the county. It allows Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) to provide services for the Westmoreland County Jewish community and also for the community at large through CEIs commitment to many area agencies including the Westmoreland County Food Bank, the American Red Cross, and Meals on Wheels.

Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) celebrated its 50th anniversary of service to the greater Greensburg and Westmoreland County communities in 1999. Led by Rabbi Sara Rae Perman, CEI offers a full program of religious, educational, and social activities incorporating a traditional form of Reform Judaism. Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) is the only house of Judaism in Central Westmoreland County which has a full-time rabbi and offers a complete Jewish education for children. Rabbi Sara Rae Perman has led the community as Rabbi since 1986. The current congregation president is Irene Rothschild.

For more information on Taste of Westmoreland, please contact chairperson Terri Katzman at 724-837-8275. The Taste of Westmoreland website is www.tasteofwestmoreland.com.