Taste of Edina 2016 is bigger than ever for its 21st year. Occupying the entire banquet center at the Westin Edina Galleria, this May 12 event spotlights the best restaurants Edina has to offer, with more than 80 wines and 20 craft beers expertly paired with scrumptious foods for approximately 600 guests. Lori Syverson, Edina Chamber of Commerce president, notes that the Taste of Edina currently hosts five times as many attendees as it did 20 years ago.
An exciting aspect of this year’s event will be a showcase of old versus new. Syverson could not be more thrilled to welcome new additions such as the Original Pancake House, which she refers to as an “Edina institution” as well as a new face for reigning fan favorite, Eden Avenue Grill, returning re-branded as the Hilltop. Along with showcasing a delicious spread for guests, head chef James Nielsen will be representing the Hilltop in Taste of Edina’s Iron Chef Competition. Similar to Food Network’s Iron Chef America, three chefs will complete a dish based on one surprise ingredient. A graduate of Minneapolis’ Art Institute International, Nielsen is prepared for the task. Compared to his daily cooking, he says the Taste of Edina Iron Chef competition is “completely foreign to me” but also states, “That’s where you’ll find the most growth.”
This exciting and ever-expanding food and drink extravaganza is made possible by presenting sponsor U.S. Bank/FlexPerks, along with several other partners. Look for many other Taste of Edina regulars, including Good Earth, Salut, Crave, and Bruegger’s Bagels.
If you go:
$35 –$40. 4:30–7:30 p.m. Westin Edina Galleria, 3201 Galleria, Edina. Tickets are available online, at the door, or any Edina Liquor location.
