On the morning of Monday, June 6th, the chefs were busy preparing and packing their food items that they wished to bring to the 8th Annual Taste of La Mesa and “wow” the crowd. “Wow” the crowd they did! The twenty-three restaurants and food providers had a continuous food “flow” on the East and West Wing. The sampling of so many delectable food items, prepared and grilled was a “feast for sore eyes” to our guests! Not a person there was left hungry!

Vehicles, chefs, and staff begin arriving at the La Mesa Community Center at 3:00 p.m. that day to begin their preparations for a night to remember! Trucks came laden with supplies, food products, and the signature items and ingredients for the food preparation for the evening. The Chamber wishes to thank those chefs and all of those “behind the scenes” who make the food presentations happen. There are lots of hands, time, and staffing that go into preparing for an event like ours and we appreciate all of their hard work. The crowd was not disappointed! The food offerings were amazing!

Did you catch the livestream?

For those of you who joined us this year – take a peek at the linked video and refresh your memories and taste buds. To those of you who missed it – take a look at what you missed and make plans to join us in 2017. We are grateful to our member, the Community Spectrum team who captured our event on film and provided this documentary to share with all you!  Fernando and Emilio –  You are our heroes! We must thank our resident photographer, Sandy Small, owner of Sandra Small Photographer. She continues to share her expertise at our events – Sandy you are priceless!

This year’s attendees enjoyed food from the following restaurants & food providers:

Anthony’s Fish Grotto
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Bo-beau kitchen + garden
Brigantine Restaurant of La Mesa
Cali Comfort BBQ
Continental Catering
Cucina Basilico
Edible Arrangements
El Torito – La Mesa
Himalayan Cuisine
Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill
Luna Grill
Marie Callende’s – La Mesa
O’s American Kitchen
Pick Up Stix
Riviera Supper Club
Souplantation – La Mesa
Sycuan Casino
Tarantino Gourmet Sausages
Terra American Bistro
The Hills Local Pub
Tiramisu Trattoria
Valley Farm Market!

 

We wish to thank the following sponsors who added to our “Tasteful Event”

In addition to the food and beverages served that evening, guests were able to mix and mingle with our local business vendors/sponsors who presented their products and services to the crowd. In addition to meeting the public, these businesses gave away over 15 complimentary door prizes to the evening guests. This added bonus increased the level of fun and excitement to the night.

We Are Grateful for Your Commitment to Our Chamber and Community!

Presenting Sponsor
Sycuan Casino
Supporting Sponsor
Barona Resort & Casino
Creme De La Creme Sponsors
American Medical Response
SDG&E
Virginia NapierskieCommunity Relations Sponsor
The East County HeraldBeer Sponsor
Samuel AdamsWine Sponsors
Nonno’s Ristorante Italiano
Riviera Supper Club
San Pasqual Winery
The Regal BarSecurity Sponsor
Global Protection GroupShuttle Sponsor
Advanced Shuttle Services, LLC.Video Sponsor
Community SpectrumPhotography Sponsor
Sandra Small Photographer

Printing Sponsor
AAA Imaging

Graphics Sponsor
Kostedt Design & Marketing

Gourmet Sponsor
Carl Burger Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM WorldBon Appetit Sponsors
Blue Lotus Holistic Center
California Bank & Trust
Earl W. Fite & Sons Plumbing
Erickson – Anderson Mortuary
Jeff Campbell & Associates
Farm Fresh To You
GEM Mortgage
Kirk Paving, Inc.
Legal Shield – Robert Berg
Lily’s Mobile Homes
Orangetheory Fitness – La Mesa
San Diego County Credit Union – La Mesa
Tarantino Gourmet Sausages
SignCo San Diego
Storage West
The Kitzman Family
Total Thermal Imaging
Westside Automotive
Linen Sponsor
Royal Florist DesignsSpecialty Supplies Sponsor
Smart & Final Extra! – Warehouse & MarketGift Bag Sponsor
Carl Burger Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM WorldWater Sponsor
Sycuan Casino

For those that wanted more – there was a silent auction and raffle to tempt and delight our guests. The evening winner of the raffle was again a member of the SignCo San Diego team. We wish to spotlight Mike Tegt, the owner of SignCo San Diego, who always sponsors, donates and is an active participant our events.  Mike always brings folks with him to make sure that SignCo San Diego is well represented. Since they have won the last two raffles, I am sure folks may want him to change that philosophy and give others a chance to win!

We would like to recognize the 30 volunteers that assisted us this year -you are the heart and soul of what we do! We would like to especially thank our two emcees, Bill Hammett and Brian Sack, who did a fabulous job in the East and West Wing, making all of our announcements regarding the restaurants, announcing our evening sponsors and keeping all of our activities – silent auction, raffle, door prizes on track! We could NOT have done it without you!

Jennifer Barillas-Miss Teen La Mesa
Athena Hernandez
Laurel Cruz
Synthia Duncan
Jessica Duncan
Thelma Early
Maggie Eggers
Sarah Guarin
Sabrina Guarin
Angie Guarin
Vernay Guy
Bill Hammett
Cindy Houska
Mike Murphy
Trish Murphy
Alexandra Nath
Joan O’Steen
Tom O’Steen
Amy Rickard
Cheryl Ruse
Brian Sack
Diana Silvas
David Smyle
Katie Spangler
Patrick Stephenson
Kerrie Ann Stidum
Amelia Sanborn
Vickie vonEiff
Steven Welty
Susanna Wiggins-Miss La Mesa

Click the video below to view the event.