Riverview Parks and Recreation Director Todd Dickman (left) and Mayor Andrew Swift honor the winners of the Nov. 21 “Taste of Riverview and Beyond” during the Dec. 15 City Council meeting: representatives from: third place Parthenon Coney Island and Restaurant; second place Pizza Papalis; honorable mention Riverview Community High School Culinary Program; and first place Doughmads.
Pizza Papalis manager Emily Rodriguez (left) and employee Yasmine Hamadi serve attendee-pleasing slices during the Nov. 21 Taste of Riverview and Beyond at Young Patriots Park.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW – Parks and Recreation Director Todd Dickman and Mayor Andrew Swift honored the Taste of Riverview and Beyond attendee choice award-winning restaurants during the Dec. 15 City Council meeting.
The winners were Doughmads in first place, Pizza Papalis in second, and Parthenon Coney Island in third, with the Riverview Community High School Culinary Program receiving an honorable mention.
The inaugural event took place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Young Patriots Park, showcasing the flavors of local eateries.
Tickets were $25 in advance and $35 at the door, with live music to create a festive mood.
Dickman said it was a wonderful event and the tent was packed with attendees who sampled then voted for their favorite vendors.
Swift said this was the first time the city had sponsored a food-tasting experience like this, and he praised Dickman for his successful promotion of the event.
“It was very well attended, and we had 350 or more people attend that night,” he said. “That is something that we will look to put in next year, and it really displayed that we not only have fine restaurants in our town, but also in neighboring communities.”
Dickman thanked his staff for their hard work ensuring the event’s success by recruiting vendors and setting it up.
Other participating restaurants included Olga’s Kitchen, Rivergate Campus, Atria Kinghaven, Red Robin, Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant, The Grecian Center, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Red Lobster, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Belle Fountain, A Serendipity Cakery and Hungarian Rhapsody.