From Mediterranean to Mexican, and everything in between, El Pasoans can delight their taste buds at Taste of El Paso on November 12th at the El Paso Convention Center. The event, which is in its sixth year, is presented by KISS FM and Bravo Cadillac and will feature a variety of domestic and international foods from an array of eateries.
“With just one ticket, people can get the taste of all of El Paso, and this year we really went for different types of establishments, like bakeries, catering services, bars and bistros,” said Emily Beardmore, live events coordinator for Townsquare Media (KISS FM’s parent company). “We really hit it hard with the diversity, and we’ve gotten so much positive feedback about this list of restaurants. Everyone’s excited, and ticket sales are going very well.”
Tickets are priced at $50 through November 8th, $55 November 9th-11th and $60 on the day of the event. Beardmore said the ticket sales are pacing well, and she and the other event organizers are looking forward to selling more than 1000 tickets.
Taste of El Paso aims to indulge attendees in epicurean ecstasy and is intended to focus on those who enjoy seeking new food experiences and view eating as an adventure to savor rather than simply a means of sustenance.
“[This event] is targeting all those foodies and people who really enjoy the finer dining experience,” Beardmore said.
Along with the phenomenal food, diners can expect to dine in a more refined, polished manner, complete with cloth-covered tables, elegant glassware and swank floral centerpieces. Students from local high schools are volunteering to help as wait staff at the event.
A cocktail hour presented by WB Liquors will kick off the event at 5 p.m. with food served from 6 to 9 p.m. Eleven area restaurants will present some of their finest fare—The Hoppy Monk, Tabla, Around the World Catering and many others are the eateries participating. Also on hand will be some past event participants, such as Garufa Argentinean Restaurant and Pelicans.
“We always bring back our veterans every year because we get such good feedback year after year and people ask for them,” Beardmore said. “We bring those ones back and at the same time keep it new and fresh with new restaurants.”
Three local sweet shops will also serve at Taste of El Paso—Belle Sucre Bakery, The Pastry Chef and Master’s Place Cupcake Shop will provide the finishing touches with some delicious confections.
“We will have a pretty diverse bunch [of food],” Beardmore said. “We’ve really been looking at what the critics say and we made sure these restaurants are all well-liked and that there’s a variety.”
For one ticket attendees can enjoy mini entrees from each featured eatery, along with a craft beer or wine pairing and 3 dessert samples. Upon entry each guest will receive a goodie bag with a program and name plate they can use to reserve a seat.
“The ticket includes a reserved seat in the dining hall so people aren’t scrambling around looking for a seat when it’s time to sit down and eat,” Beardmore said.
She also emphasized the ticket is an all-access pass for not only sampling the food, but for engaging in the other activities taking place at Taste of El Paso—I Painted That will be giving art classes, the El Paso Ballroom Academy will be on-site to provide dance lessons and bartenders from the Hoppy Monk will conduct mixology classes. Local jazz legends Billy Townes Jazz Band will provide the musical backdrop.
“The beautiful thing is that this is an inclusive event and you don’t have to pay for anything extra once you’ve bought your ticket,” she said. “We’re not going to have any vendors out there trying to sell you anything.”
Taste of El Paso
November 12, 2015; cocktail hour from 5-6 p.m., dining from 6-9 p.m.
El Paso Convention Center Tickets: $50-60, available at the Plaza Theatre Box Office or through www.ticketmaster.com
Taste of El Paso Creates Culinary Paradise
