Taste of Mid-Missouri - Posted 4/23/09
There are certainly some great perks to being Mid Mo Dining Guide’s "Food Evangelist." Actually, who am I kidding? The entire job is one big perk: being paid to eat food and report to the masses.
During my tenure, I have been showered with gift certificates for everything from authentic Italian to hearty bar food, and I have loved every minute of it. But nothing, and I mean nothing, could top the perk of being able to attend the 24th annual Taste of Mid-Missouri at the Hampton Inn.
Around 50 food and beverage vendors from all corners of mid-Missouri showed up to the March 11th event. The Hampton Inn was bulging with people who were equally bulging with excitement over the litany of delicious foods, beverages and desserts.
Without further ado, I’d like to highlight some of the tastiest of the tastiest from this fantastic event.
One of the first tables I hit was hosted by Coley’s American Bistro. They were serving honey glazed grilled-chicken. Coley’s is new in town and likely still finding their way. Well, after one bite of their featured dish, I immediately sensed Coley’s would be a downtown restaurant for many years in the future.
Columbia’s south town staple, Sophia’s, served up another chicken delight. Their sample chicken was breaded and topped with portabella mushrooms and a creamy alfredo sauce. The Sophia’s workers were kind enough to allow me two samples. I wanted to go for three, but I didn’t push my luck and so I moved on.
The friendly people from the University Club brought a trove of dessert treasures including chocolate tiramisu and lemon meringue pie. All of their desserts were displayed in a highly sophisticated manner. As for the taste? The best word seems to be "yummy." I enjoyed my long stay at the University Club table right down to every last crumb of scrumptious gloriousness.
Possibly my own personal highlight was the copious amount of delicious desserts. J.J.’s Café, also new to Columbia, served up sample cups of cherry cheesecake. It made complete sense to serve this delectable serving in cups, as it was so creamily good, it just melted in my mouth like a rich milkshake. Winston’s, from Fulton, also delivered the dessert goods. They were offering generous portions of warm peach cobbler. Nothing about this peach cobbler said "store bought." It was the perfect package of home made texture and taste.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the drinks. There may have been an equal amount of beer and wine vendors as there were food vendors. I wasn’t complaining! I especially enjoyed the Boulevard distributors as they poured the tallest glasses of all the vendors present. I also spent time talking with the owner of O’Fallon Brewery, while tasting a variety of his signature brews. O’Fallon’s beers are served locally at such establishments as Grand Cru and 9th Street Deli, and their beers are ideal for connoisseurs of new and different tastes.
I’m not one to grow tired of drinking beer, but it was figuratively and literally refreshing to sip some frozen alcoholic alternatives at the Tropical Liqueurs table as well. Cool, tasty, and strong servings of strawberry daiquiri conjured up images of crystal blue water and white sandy beaches. It tasted great too!
All in all, I spent three hours at the Taste of Mid-Missouri, and just like everything else about being a food evangelist, I loved every second of it. After sampling examples of the best and the tastiest food and drink Mid-Missouri has to offer, I left dreading the wait till next year’s event. Perhaps next year the hosts will choose an even larger venue. More room for even more restaurants and patrons would certainly create smiles for me and my fellow food connoisseurs. As I said in the beginning of this review, this event was the 24th annual Taste of Mid-Missouri. The key word there would be "annual," meaning there will be another one next year.
So, I guess what I’m saying is... I’ll see you next March?
Adam L.
Food Evangelist
foodevangelist@midmodiningguide.com
MidMoDiningGuide.com
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