Last night Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFS) hosted the first annual A Taste of Hope at the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs. The event was a huge success with over 20 restaurants offering samples of their tastiest dishes! All proceeds benefited LFS, a human services non-profit located in Colorado Springs and across the Rocky Mountains!
Twenty-one restaurants generously donated not only their food but the experience. Biaggi’s brought a date wrapped in bacon and stuffed mushrooms. They could have brought spaghetti to feed the masses but Biaggi’s knows class. Black-Eyed Peas reminded us of mother’ s kitchen with their preparation of old fashioned pot roast and mashed potatoes. Salt of the Earth catering likewise brought mashed potatoes but topped their dish with a Swedish meatball, distinctive and light. Crazy Otto’s brought a crowd pleaser of biscuits topped with green chilies. One of the prettiest displays was Colorado Springs Catering’s poached chicken with rice. Dickey’s BBQ and Southern Hospitality both brought flavors of pulled pork with their own unique sauces and Colorado Smokehouse added sweet and tangy brisket. Jeff Suarez offered tasty sliders with their special sauce. Chick Fil A didn’t bring their typical chicken sandwich but a new side they offer, Kale super foods salads. PF Changs much loved fried rice and egg drop soup was center plate. In between samples, Louie’s pizza was served appetizer style.
While belt buckles were loosened, the crowd moved on to dessert. My neighborhood favorite, Corny Cravings dished out several varieties of their popcorn flair from rainbow popcorn to cheddar cheese popcorn to zebra popcorn. All the kids and adults lined up for Culver’s vanilla or chocolate Ice cream with toppings galore and were pleased to learn that the owner actually adopted his daughter through Lutheran Family Services. Heavenly Desserts brought a truly heavenly cheesecake. Several noted they needed to return for seconds. Nothing Bundt Cakes served red velvet bundt cake, lemon bundt cake and a few other varieties topped with their sweet and smooth dribbled white frosting. T Everyone was happy to wash it all down with Serrano’s Turkish coffee.
Local radio foodie Mike Boyle, Gazette food editor Teresa Farney, and LFS Board member Bill Ayen, judged the Chef’s Cook-Off Challenge, awarding Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen as the Judges’ favorite. Attendees were also able to vote for their favorite restaurant, crowning Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano as the crowd favorite! In between food samples, guests were able to interact with the Discovery Center’s exhibits, take photos with storm troopers, and receive green and glittery “alien” hairstyles from Lotus Salon & Spa.
Thank you to all the restaurants who attended! Aspen Pointe Catering, Corny Cravings, The Heavenly Dessert Company, Salt of the Earth, P.F. Chang’s, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Colorado Springs Catering, BooDad’s, A Taste of Jerusalem, Southern Hospitality, Serranos, Chick-fil-A, Pepsi, Crazy Otto’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen, Buffalo Wild Wings, Black-eyed Pea, Taste of Jerusalem Café, Colorado Smokehouse Barbecue, Culver’s, and Louie’s Pizza.