The Taste of Burlington Back with a Bang!
The Taste of Burlington, the area’s most popular food event, returned to the Boston Marriott Burlington on Monday, October 30th for the first time in 4 years since the last event in 2019. After rebranding to just "The Taste" for several years to highlight BACC member organizations from beyond Burlington, the event took back its original name as the restaurant scene in Burlington has expanded and grown to such an extent. 24 of Burlington's best restaurants, caterers, and bakeries showcased their most delicious culinary offerings to the packed house from Burlington Area business and residential communities.
Participating restaurants included:
- Black & Blue Steak and Crab
- Burtons Grill
- The Capital Grille
- Chopps Italian Steakhouse & Bar
- Cafe Escadrille
- Eddie V's Prime Seafood
- Karma Asian Fusion
- Kings Dining & Entertainment
- LaCascia's Bakery and Deli
- Legal Sea Foods
- Mooo....Burlington
- Osteria Nino
- Redstone American Grill
- Rosa Mexicano
- Row 34
- Seasons 52
- Smith & Wollensky
- Tavern in the Square
- Temazcal Tequila Cantina
- The Bancroft
- Tony C's Sports Bar & Grill
- True North Coffee Cafe
- Tuscan Kitchen
- Wegmans
Upon arrival, General Admission guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with cocktails, live music and delicious passed appetizers before they were ushered into the Main Ballroom. Those who upgraded to the VIP experience enjoyed a private, pre-showcase reception in the VIP Lounge, sponsored by Herb Chambers of Burlington. VIP guests were treated to an exclusive cocktail hour, complete with complimentary signature cocktails, presented by Fitness Together Burlington, passed hors d'oeuvres provided by the Boston Marriott Burlington, and early entrance to the restaurant showcase in the Main Ballroom. They were also entered to win a stunning David Yurman diamond pendant, donated by Long’s Jewelers.
Prior to ballroom doors opening for early VIP access, Herb Chambers Companies CEO Nick Gennetti addressed the crowd of VIPs, expressing the importance of the relationship that Herb Chambers Companies maintains with the BACC, and the Burlington community. Having dealerships in the town of Burlington for the past 28 years, Herb Chambers values community involvement, and was “thrilled” to be a part of such a great community event. Chambers told BCAT TV, "People always talk about 'you have to give back', and I firmly believe that... I think it's important that people, when you attain some success, that you try to give back to the people, wherever that town happens to be, whether its in Dorchester, or in Burlington, or in Natick, or whatever town that I've got dealerships in, I try to give back to that town". He lives up to this by always being heavily involved in the Burlington community, and especially through sponsoring events from the BACC.
Prior to ballroom doors opening for early VIP access, Herb Chambers Companies CEO Nick Gennetti addressed the crowd of VIPs, expressing the importance of the relationship that Herb Chambers Companies maintains with the BACC, and the Burlington community. Having dealerships in the town of Burlington for the past 28 years, Herb Chambers values community involvement, and was “thrilled” to be a part of such a great community event. Chambers told BCAT TV, "People always talk about 'you have to give back', and I firmly believe that... I think it's important that people, when you attain some success, that you try to give back to the people, wherever that town happens to be, whether its in Dorchester, or in Burlington, or in Natick, or whatever town that I've got dealerships in, I try to give back to that town". He lives up to this by always being heavily involved in the Burlington community, and especially through sponsoring events from the BACC.
The Ballroom doors opened to reveal a bustling room that quickly filled with guests who were equally as eager to try the delicious samplings as the restaurants were to show them off. Restaurant displays lined the walls of the Ballroom, and were festively adorned with flowers, gourds, and other fall-themed décor. Guests enjoyed everything from mini filet mignon sliders and lobster mac and cheese, to an on-site demonstration of truffle tagliatelle pasta finished in a parmesan wheel. All attendees also had the opportunity to win the “Ultimate Taste” raffle prize, valued at more than $3,000. The lucky winner will dine at all participating restaurants from the night.
The purpose of this annual event put on by the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is two-fold by nature. The Taste provides BACC members in the restaurant industry the chance to engage their communities by showcasing their unique foods. The Taste is also the BACC’s largest fundraiser. When asked to elaborate on this, BACC Executive Committee Co-Chair Sonia Rollins said, “As a non-profit we absolutely have a need to raise funds in order to keep the Chamber going and to be able to deliver services to our members. These services include government relations initiatives, charitable organization support, state-wide transportation issues, small business advocacy, and much more.” Referring partners, making reciprocal connections, and providing networking opportunities only scratches the surface of services provided by the Chamber. The BACC works extremely hard, both internally and in collaboration with other business and community organizations, to create an environment that fosters relationships among its members as well as the communities and municipalities they represent. The primary goal of this Chamber is to serve as a one-stop resource for its members.
The BACC would like to thank the generous sponsors of The Taste, without whom the event would not have been possible:
Boston Marriott Burlington, Herb Chambers of Burlington, Riemer & Braunstein, 3rd Ave Burlington, Cambridge Savings Bank, PPX Hospitality Brands, The District Burlington, Erland Construction, Mooo.... Burlington, Northeast Investment Group, Sonia Rollins & Associates, The Graphic Group, Burlington Mall, CertaPro Painters, DaMore Law, Miltons - The Store For Men, Oracle, Tender Learning Centre, Webster Bank, Fitness Together Burlington, Long’s Jewelers, Complete Payroll Solutions, The Gutierrez Company, Kadilak Homes, Keystone Buyer Brokerage, medspa810, NW Pest Control, ReMax Realty Experts - Beverlee Vidoli, Burlington Orthodontics, Derek Song, DMD, Kirkland and Shaw, Lucky13 Fitness, Marshall's Autobody Experts, Masterpiece Dentistry at Burlington, Setronics, Sirois Electric, Wayside
