3/20/08
Taste of Clarendon to celebrate 20 years of culinary delight
By Cathy Gilbert

ERIC GOOLD/Manning Times

Our good friends at Yanagawa S.C. have brought some tasty Japanese treats to the Taste of Clarendon for the last several years.

It is hard to believe that what started as a simple party to raise funds in 1988 has become one of the county’s most popular social events of the year.

The first Taste of Clarendon was held as a grand finale to the Striped Bass Festival in the lovely courtyard of the Land Parker Welch law firm. There were about 150 guests for some hors d’oeuvres and a little wine.

This year, more than 1,000 guests are anticipated for the April 12 event that will be held at the Cypress Center in Manning. The size and menu may have changed a bit over the past two decades but there is no doubt that it will just as fun – if not more so – than each of the past 19 Taste events.

Indoors at the Cypress Center will be all types of delicious finger foods prepared by some of the county’s best cooks. Be on the lookout for a table of some of this year’s best dishes from “Clarendon Cooks,” The Manning Times food feature. Those fabulous kitchen wizards from the Pilot Club will hopefully be there with their special variety of both sweet and savory. You would be amazed at the gastronomic prowess of our Wyboo neighbors, as they always amaze with their delicious treats. With any luck, Marie Land and her chocolate fountain and strawberries will be in her favorite spot. Don’t forget the Johnson McKenzie Robinson sponsored cheesecake table. It is truly something to behold!

Those are just a few of the hundreds of dishes that will be available at this event. Does that seem a little too fancy for your appetite? Do you have an adventurous streak to your stomach?

Then be sure to mosey outside at the Cypress Center where an entirely different kind of party will be going on.

The Outback Gang, some of this county’s best hunters and chefs, will be preparing those wild game foods that you might not have ever imagined trying. From alligator tail to crawfish to enough peel-and-eat shrimp to satisfy any seafood lover, the food outside is guaranteed to please!

If you have ever been a part of The Taste of Clarendon, you know exactly what to expect in terms of all that yummy goodness. If you have never been to a Taste, why not? This unique event is something everyone should experience at least once … or 20 times!

As in years past, there will be a great band and Hospital Street will be blocked off so don’t forget your dancing shoes.

This event is a project of the Chamber of Commerce and chaired by Dr. Scott Brown. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Harvin Clarendon County Library and their programs.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. The party starts at 6 p.m. and goes “officially” until 8 p.m., but is has been known to go on after that. Tickets will again be printed on self-adhesive paper and should be worn the night of the event.

Tickets will be available at the following locations:

In Manning: Brunson’s Pharmacy, the Harvin Clarendon County Library, NBSC, Wyboo Plantation, the Bank of Clarendon, The Zone, the Land, Parker & Welch Law Firm, Johnson, McKenzie & Robinson Law Firm, the Chamber of Commerce, Manning IGA, The Manning Times and Studio 1916.
In Summerton, tickets are being sold at the Summerton Town Hall and Wen-Lily’s.

In Turbeville, tickets are available at The Citizen’s Bank.

Mark your calendars now for April 12 … this is one feeding frenzy you will not want to miss!