Taste of Del Ray organizer Pat Miller with Sheriff Dana Lawhorne. Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
A sell-out crowd of more than 500 people turned out for the 11th annual Taste of Del Ray June 2 at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square.
Sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association, 18 neighborhood restaurants participated in the popular foodie competition.
Attendees enjoyed unlimited tastes from top Del Ray restaurants and cast their votes for the People's Choice award. Guest judges, Chefs Pablo Ranea and Vikram Sunderam, announced their own favorites.
The judges' choice winners were: First place – Del Ray Pizzeria/DRP Reserve for Jicama shrimp taco; Second place – Stomping Ground for jerk pulled pork with cilantro aioli and red onion on mini buttermilk biscuit; Third place – Swing's Coffee Roasters for hopped cascara soda.
The people's choice winners were: First place – Pork Barrel BBQ for Del Ray smoked white chicken chili; Second place – Del Ray Pizzeria/DRP Reserve for Jicama shrimp taco; Third place – Northside 10 for risotto fritters with tomato gravy.
New this year was a VIP ticket option that offered first bites and a wine tasting with early admission.
Participating restaurants included: Al's Steak House, Catch On The Ave., Cheesetique, Del Ray Cafe, Del Ray Pizzeria, Evening Star Cafe, Hops N Shine, Junction Bakery & Bistro, KAiZEN Tavern, Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, Live Oak Restaurant/Charlie's On The Avenue/The Garden in Del Ray, Nectar Coffee & Wine Bistro, Northside10, Pork Barrel BBQ, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub/Market 2 Market Del Ray, Stomping Ground/Bagel Uprising, Swing's Coffee Roasters and Taqueria Poblano.
See www.visitdelray.com.