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April 12, 2007 issue

Fifteenth Annual Taste Of The High Country April 24

Tasty Food Benefits Habitat for Humanity

Story by Blair O’Briant

The 15th annual Taste of the High Country will be held on Tuesday, April 24, at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. The event will feature more than 20 area restaurants and caterers who support Watauga County Habitat for Humanity.

The event will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Students may purchase tickets for $10. Habitat hopes to raise up to $20,000 at this year’s event.

Judi Scharns of Habitat for Humanity said funds raised at this event will go directly to house number 19, a house currently under construction. Scharns said this particular house will most likely use all of the money raised at this year’s event, but if any funds are left over, they will benefit future projects.

Watauga County Habitat for Humanity has an ambitious goal of building three houses per year for the next three years. This goal creates a need for donated or affordable land on which to build houses for people in need. Habitat houses cost around $70,000 to build and each home recipient must have the ability to pay a small mortgage and be willing to partner with Habitat by contributing 250 to 500 “sweat equity hours” to the Habitat house.

Area restaurants participating in Taste of the High Country are Bandana’s, Casa Rustica, Red Onion, Pepper’s, Makoto’s, Woodlands BBQ, Jackson Dining Room, Storie Street Grill, Gamekeeper, Ciao Bello, Maw’s Produce, Mother Nature Produce, Dominic’s Table at Crestwood, Earth Fare Catering, Gadabouts Catering, Canyons, Marble Slab Creamery, Parkway Café, Roland’s at Westglow Spa, Sagebrush, Stickboy and Delights by Dawn.

Scharns said many of the popular restaurants run out of food early, so to avoid a limited selection, people should arrive early. She said people are usually lined up at the door by 4:30 p.m. waiting to get in, so people who come toward the end of the evening may have fewer food choices.

Dominic’s Table at Crestwood, Earth Fare Catering and Delights by Dawn are new to the lineup this year, while certain restaurants such as Red Onion and Pepper’s have been supporting the event since its start.

Scharns said this year’s Taste of the High Country will offer a cash bar and coffee from Bald Guy Brew. Coke has also been a long-time supporter of the event, and a vending machine with Coke products will be available.

A silent auction at the event provides an opportunity for bidders to go home with some great deals. Scharns said the Habitat chapter from ASU will donate a handmade garlic basket for the event. Other items available include a silver and copper child’s bracelet by Ariel Studios, a silver and onyx necklace by Silver and Stones Jewelry by Judy Goodwin, a unique hand-turned teapot by Lucinda Pittman, a Grandfather Mountain print donated by CBM and many other unique items.

This year’s corporate sponsors are Mast Stores and 444, Inc. Other businesses supporting the event include RBC Centura Bank, Bradshaw & Co., Headwaters Enterprises, Jeffrey Walker, BB&T, Deal, Moseley & Smith, Piedmont Federal Bank and Weber-Hodges Realty.

Habitat is still soliciting business sponsors for the event. For more info about this year’s Taste of the High Country, call 828-268-9545.