Visitors experience 'Taste of Vernon'

VERNON — Many attendees exclaimed, “Wow!” after tasting delicious food on April 30 at the third annual “Taste of Vernon,” hosted by the Vernon Chamber of Commerce and held at Heaven Hill Farm.
Around 225 community guests, plus volunteers, gathered in order to benefit three local initiatives: Vernon Coalition, Vernon PAL, and Vernon Women's Club.
Almost 40 gift baskets, cards, and passes were donated from area businesses for the silent auction and door prizes, while around 15 local eateries and restaurants provided award winning cuisine to row upon row of tables full of laughter and good conversation. In addition, Heaven Hill Farm provided Balic wine samples – made in New Jersey.
The Vernon High School Chamber Orchestra also contributed to the evening by playing music for guests.
Near the end, Chamber Director Rebecca Dorney said, “I give you the eateries for the 2018 Taste of Vernon!” — to cheers and applause.
She and Chamber Vice President Jennifer Hopper announced the People's Choice awards: Acme won “Best Presentation,” two years in a row; “Best Overall Restaurant” went to Lamp Post Inn, also two years in a row; “Best Entrée” was a tie between Smokey's and Double S Smokehouse; and “Favorite Dessert” went to Dairy Swirl.
Incidentally, Dairy Swirl owner, Roman Czerhoniak, originally had suggested the Taste of Vernon idea, which began in 2016.
Dorney said the Vernon Chamber of Commerce tries to “highlight our local businesses and grow all of the area. We could not do this without them. Without your time, your talent, and literally your treasure — for bringing what you bring, every single year, has been amazing. Thank you.” — to more cheers and applause.
She also encouraged everyone in the room to visit the restaurants and businesses and tell them how much they are appreciated for what they did for the community.
“We love them enough that we're coming to see them. We're coming to eat food in their restaurants.” Dorney continued, “Without our sponsors or our restaurants, we would not be here tonight.”
Dignitaries attending were: state Assemblyman Harold J. Wirths, Sussex County Freeholder Herbert Yardley, Vernon Mayor Harry Shortway, Vernon School Board member Lori LePera, Assistant Superintendent Charles McKay, and former Vernon School Board member Edward DeYoung.
The Lamp Post Inn served Spoons of Spicy Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Mango Pineapple Salsa, Alaska Shrimp and Chicken Spicy Jambalaya, with peppers, onions, jalapeno and Andouille sausage — served over yellow rice, shots of Baby Romaine lettuce and bread sticks with Signature Caesar Dressing and shaved Parmesan Cheese, house Buttermilk Dill Dressing with celery, carrots, and grape tomatoes, and mini smoked Gouda Grilled cheese with Tomato Bisque Soup.
Double S Smokehouse served pulled pork barbecue Empanadas. McKay said he had tried one on the way to the table and immediately turned around for another. Double S Smokehouse offered four different sauces, including the “Sweet and Spicy,” to go along with smoked wings.
Tami Vargas, serving the Empanadas said, “You can put that on anything.” [Referring to the “Sweet & Spicy” barbecue sauce.]
Smokey's served braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, asparagus, power salad wraps of barley, sweet potato, and Brussels sprouts, with a balsamic pomegranate glaze, and homemade Mini-Zeppoli's.
The Dairy Swirl offered eight different flavors of ice cream, including Graham Central Station and Mango Melba, while George's Inn served Bourbon pecan pie with chocolate and their famous rice pudding, in addition to savory dishes.
After attendees had already eaten delicious food for over two hours, Acme continued to serve samples of Tiramisu and strawberry desserts to seated guests at the end of the evening.
Colleen Daly, of Cupcake Café in Hamburg, hospitably offered her delicious, moist French Toast cupcakes with cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple buttercream frosting. She explained, her kitchen and ice cream choices are all peanut free, in light of her child's severe allergies.
A “Perfect Reflection Photo Booth” showcased the amazing technology of a super Selfie Mirror, where photos were produced immediately on site for participants; and Radio live 103.7 WNNJ.com softly played “Sweet Home Alabama,” as delicious samples were served.