MCC to Host 2nd Annual Taste of McHenry County

Join McHenry County College and the local restaurant community at the second-annual Taste of McHenry County, a culinary showcase and competition, featuring an array of cuisines, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 in the MCC multi-purpose room and cafeteria, Building B, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. The 2010 Taste event drew in an attendance of over 400 people from throughout the community.

All ages are invited to view a premier cooking competition, featuring professional/student chef teams, from noon until 2 p.m. Other highlights include food tastings from area restaurants and demos of healthy food options for families.

The competition will include teams of two students each, who will prepare a three-course menu, which must total 1,000 calories or less. Each team has a professional chef as their mentor, available to answer questions, if needed.

 “I’m really excited that we are having this event for the second year in a row,” said Chef Thomas Kaltenecker, CHE, MCFE, executive chef and department chair of culinary management at MCC. “Last year’s event drew in so many people who learned more about the culinary field. It also really benefitted our culinary students by giving them more experience and an opportunity to interact with area professional chefs,”  he said.

Participating restaurants include: Brunch Café, Fox River Grove/McHenry/Roselle; Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters, da Baffone Cucina Italiana, Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen, all of Crystal Lake; Eugenio’s, Cary; Exclusively Napa, Crystal Lake; Galloway’s Chicago Subs, Crystal Lake; Georgio's Pizzeria and Pub, Crystal Lake; Julie Ann’s Frozen Custard, Crystal Lake; Kiera Confections, McHenry; Port Edward Restaurant and The Texan BBQ, both of Algonquin; and 31 North Banquet and Conference Center, McHenry and more.

Purchase tickets in advance by calling the MCC Registration Office at 815-455-8588 through 5 p.m. on Nov. 3. General admission is $10, the cost for MCC employees and retirees is $7.50 each and free for children five and younger. Tickets also available for $13 at the door (cash or credit card only).

Proceeds will be used toward a Culinary Management scholarship for MCC students. Individuals or businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities may contact Kathrine Pfister at kpfister@mchenry.edu.

Sponsors of the event include the Northwest Herald.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to participate in this year’s event, visit www.mchenry.edu/taste.