Last year’s inaugural Taste of White Bear Lake was a huge success, bringing more than 500 people to Pine Tree Apple Orchard to nosh on some of the area’s best culinary creations. And this year promises to be no different, featuring 25 local food vendors.
Former Rotary president Gene Alstatt came up with the idea for the Taste of White Bear Lake after hearing about a similar event hosted by the Rotary Club in Naples, Fla. “Our club knew we needed a change from a silent/live auction and dinner, which is the fundraiser we have been doing for many years,” he says. “We wanted to do something that would not only increase people getting involved in Rotary, but also draw some funding from the community.”
Fellow Rotary Club members John Jacobson, owner of Pine Tree Apple Orchard, Ken Galloway, local restaurant enthusiast, and Eric Hendrickson, wine expert and owner of the Mahtomedi Liquor Barrel, pitched in to help make the inaugural event a success.
This year’s event will feature unique restaurant samplings and wine from local eateries like Key’s Restaurant, the winner of the Taste’s “best of” award last year, as well as games, wagon rides, live music and a silent auction.
