A Lot on Your Plate
You’ll find an embarrassment of riches on your plate at this year’s Taste of Cincinnati®, presented by Kroger and produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.
No need to save the best for last, though. The winners of the coveted “Best of Taste” awards have been announced, so you can plan your dishes ahead of next weekend’s culinary arts festival.
Judges gathered at Findlay Kitchen to sample dishes from this year’s restaurant contestants and Taste of Findlay Market contestants. They also s visited the food truck preview at Court Street Plaza. After many bites and very full stomachs, the winners were selected.
Photos by Shae Combs
Restaurant Best of Taste:
Sides
Gold: Kabobske – Walking Gyro
Silver: Pompilio’s Restaurant – Caprese Salad
Bronze: Just Q’in BBQ – Brisket Mac
Appetizer
Gold: Ché – Short Rib Empanada
Silver: Kabobske – Buffalo Hummus with Pita Chips
Bronze: Pompilio’s Restaurant – Grippo’s Flavored Risotto Balls
Entrée:
Gold: Alfio’s Buon Cibo – Braised Short Rib Creamy Truffle Gnocchi
Silver: Chino’s Street Food – Vietnamese Street Tacos
Bronze: Just Q’in BBQ – Pastrami
Dessert
Gold: Sweets & Meats BBQ – Bourbon Bread Pudding
Silver: Pompilio’s Restaurant – Kentucky Honey Bourbon and Chocolate Cannoli
Bronze: The Cheesecakery – Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cupcake
Food Truck Best of Taste:
Sides
Gold: MamaBear’s Mac – New England Lobster Mac & Cheese
Silver: Dine-In Hawaiian – Crab Bake Dip
Bronze: Adena’s Beefstroll – Ma’s Meatballs
Appetizer
Gold: MamaBear’s Mac – Loaded Baked Potato Grilled Cheese
Silver: Dine-In Hawaiian – Fried Musubi
Bronze: Wicked Hickory – Smoked Chicken Nachos
Entrée
Gold: Wicked Hickory – Smoked Lamb Taco
Silver: Quite Frankly LLC – Pumba
Bronze: Twisted Greek – Greek Wrap Supreme
Dessert
Gold: Maw Maw’s Creole Kitchen – Caramel Beignet
Silver: SugarSnap! – Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae
Bronze: House Cafe & Catering – Espresso Dark Chocolate Brownie with Cookie Butter Cheesecake, Salted Caramel and Pistachio
Taste of Findlay Market Best of Taste:
Sides
Winner: Southern Grace Eats – Baked Mac & Cheese
Appetizer
Winner: Southern Grace Eats – Grippo Wings with Ranch Dipping Sauce
Entrée
Winner: Dats Ole School Cookin Cafe – Spicy Catfish Nuggets
Dessert
Winner: BanaSun Smoothie Bar – Acai Bowl
Taste of Cincinnati®, presented by Kroger and produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, returns Memorial Day weekend, May 27–29, with a total of 77 food vendors, the largest selection in the event’s history. Cincinnati’s tradition will take over Fifth Street 2023, and feature 36 restaurants and 23 food trucks. In total, these vendors will serve more than 300 menu items.
“It’s amazing that such a longstanding event continues to grow,” said Rob Weidle, senior event producer for Taste of Cincinnati. “This year, we had the highest number of applications in the event's history – 20% more than the previous year, which at the time was also a record for the event.”
In addition to the 59 restaurants and food trucks, 18 Findlay Market vendors and “foodpreneurs” rom their food business incubator, Findlay Kitchen, will return for the fifth year of the “Taste of Findlay Market.”
Since 2013, The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber has donated more than $100,000 to support regional culinary and entrepreneurial growth. The Chamber will continue its support of local culinary entrepreneurs with a 2023 donation to the Findlay Market Foodpreneur Fund.
“Every year, Taste of Cincinnati reminds us what an amazing culinary community we have in the Cincinnati region,” said Brendon Cull, president and CEO-elect of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “The support these restaurants, food trucks, and Findlay Market vendors all receive at such a massive event demonstrates the importance and value the Cincinnati region places on our culinary industry.”