(Food-Beverage-News.Com, November 08, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA -- West Michigan food vendors had a chance to talk, serve, and glad-hand local foodies last week during the 2nd Annual West Michigan Fork Fest. The festival celebrated local food no matter where it came from farms, restaurants, breweries, wineries, markets or retail stores.
The event held October 18th brought food lovers together to enjoy samples from more than two-dozen Michigan food providers. The event was much better attended than last year, and sold more than 300 tickets before the event even started, according to Local First’s executive director Elissa Hillary.
Hillary stated, “We were anticipating the growth simply because this was a fantastic event last year and also because there is a real increase in awareness and the importance of eating local food in West Michigan.”
The four-hour event brought in over 400 people and filled the greenhouses at Romence Gardens and Greenhouses to the brim. The Grand Rapids location complimented the array of food and food-chat passing from vendor to Fork Fest guest.
Hillary praised the choice of venue, saying, “I don’t think there are many parties in greenhouses in town and people have been really excited as they walked through the doors in this natural environment and the smells from these restaurants is fantastic.”
Fork Fest was attended by local foodies and Local First members alike, including Drew and Amy McLean, who said that membership with the group has been a boon to their seasoning company, called ‘Bearboy Gourmet’.
The couple dished up pulled-chicken tacos, complete with onion, cilantro and lime, and of course their own blend of hand-rubbed-in spices. Drew said he could tell that the other attendees appreciated great food.
“It’s been awesome. People are serious foodies and they appreciate fine ingredients and fine food. And I think they appreciate what vendors bring to the table.”
