DSC_0505.JPG
Oh, the options. Taste and Tour attendees check out one of the buffet lines Sept. 8 at the American Sons of Columbus Hall, 2415 Independence Ave. More than 20 Northeast area restaurants participated and ranged from Haitian to Mexican to Italian and more. Pictured above is Cherven Desauguste, owner of MesobPikliz Restaurant which features authentic Haitian and Ethiopian cuisine. Check out more pics at www.northeastnews.net. Leslie Collins

 LESLIE COLLINS
Northeast News
September 12, 2012 

Area residents flocked to the first-ever Taste and Tour Sept. 8 sponsored by the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber President Bobbi Baker-Hughes estimates at least 200 people attended the event.

“I think it turned out spectacular,” she said. “Everybody wants to celebrate this area and celebrate what we’re doing. It was fabulous.”

In addition to Northeast residents, those from the Northland, downtown Kansas City, north of St. Joseph and south of Belton checked out what Northeast had to offer, she said.

Approximately 100 people rode the tour bus, visiting Historic Northeast gems like the Kansas City Museum, historic homes, the international market place, 18th and Vine Jazz District and others. Northeast News‘ Publisher Michael Bushnell served as the tour guide.

More than 20 Northeast area restaurants lined the walls of the American Sons of Columbus Hall,�2415 Independence Ave., serving up delectable and one-of-a-kind samples. Restaurants ranged from Ethiopian to French to Haitian to Mexican to Vietnamese, among others.

A number of attendees filled their plates more than once.

While attendees grazed the buffet lines, the sounds of the jazz and blues band Grand Marquis�reverberated through the room. Swing dancers filled the dance floor and the Swingsters, a swing dance troupe, performed several times.

Other activities included a silent auction and a raffle for prizes like a 39″ LCD TV and one night stay at the Gladstone Bed and Breakfast.

Joanna Doyel, chair of the event, said volunteers met for three months to plan the Taste and Tour.

Doyel said she already received positive feedback, like “It’s one of the best events the Chamber has done.”

“We haven’t done anything on this scale before,” Doyel added. “They (restaurants) all said they had a great response and thought it would build their business.”

“This place was hopping and people were having a good time,” Baker-Hughes said. “It was engaging the community. I’m excited and I’m ready to do it again.”