Winners recognized at Rockwall Chamber’s Taste of Rockwall & Business Expo

Mrs. Texas United America, Crystal White, stopped by the award-winning Dodie's booth. Dodie's Cajun Diner at The Harbor was voted First Place in Culinary Excellence at the event. Photos by Richard Redig, Blue Ribbon News.

(ROCKWALL, TX – April 17, 2015) The Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed more than 1,000 attendees and over 60 participants to its 22nd Annual Taste of Rockwall & Business Expo on April 16.

Chef Paul and Liberty Heights Gracious Retirement Center took home the People's Choice Award.

Sponsored by Lake Pointe Medical Center, the event included an outdoor showroom of new cars exhibited by Honda Cars of Rockwall,  Young Hyundai, Heritage Buick GMC, Rockwall Dodge, Rusty Wallis Volkswagen, and Toyota of Rockwall.

Inside, guests journeyed through a myriad of exhibits that spanned two gymnasiums and the school cafeteria. Local businesses showcased their products and services,  held drawings and giveaways, and handed out helpful information. Restaurants and bakeries – even the Rockwall ISD Nutrition Department – then filled the plates of hungry visitors.

The Chamber Choice Award went to Bobby Montgomery and the group from Lake Pointe Medical Partners with their baseball team theme and interactive exhibit.
Dick's Sporting Goods won the Best Exhibitor Award.

“This is the first year that we have lead our guests through two full gyms filled with local businesses prior to their entering the tasting part of their journey,” said Dana Macalik, Chamber President.  “We wanted businesses to receive more exposure and interaction this year than they have in past years.”

OPA! Greek Taverna was a popular stop on the Taste of Rockwall journey.

After leaving the vendor booths, guests were greeted with appetizing offerings from area restaurants including Cotton Patch, Dodie’s Cajun Diner, Eddie Deen’s BBQ, Fuddruckers, Kyoto, Liberty Heights, Londoner, Luby’s, Mistra (Hilton), OPA! Greek Taverna, Palio’s Pizza Café’, Raising Cane’s, RISD Child Nutrition, Tatyanna Pickle Palace, and Twisty Treats.

Eddie Deen's served up generous portions of delicious food.

Culinary awards were given to Liberty Height’s own Chef Paul, who received the People’s Choice Award; and to Dodie’s Cajun Diner, which was voted First Place in Culinary Excellence.  The award for Best Exhibit went to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the Chamber Choice Award went to Bobby Montgomery and the group from Lake Pointe Medical Partners with their baseball team theme and interactive exhibit.

Plates were piled high!

The crowd and the exhibitors were very enthusiastic about what this year’s event had to offer.  Local attorney K.C. Ashmore said, “The quality and presentation of the food was second to none.”

The Taste of Rockwall & Business Expo gives the community and businesses an opportunity to come together.

Lake Pointe earned a Chamber Choice Award.

“This event would not run as smoothly and as successfully without the help of our generous volunteers from the Board of Directors, Chamber Ambassadors, the Rockwall High School Interact Group, and the area banks and businesses that provide support,” Macalik said.

The Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce is now preparing for Leadercast, a one-day, experiential leadership event set for Friday, May 8 at the Rockwall High School  Performing Arts Center at Utley.

“This is a great opportunity for you and your employees to attend a first class, nationwide leadership summit, simulcast live from Atlanta, Georgia, with nine world-renowned leaders,” said Macalik. “There is also an opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units.”

Among the speakers will be: Andy Stanley, Leadership author, communicator; Peyton Manning, Super Bowl-winning quarterback, 5-time NFL MVP; Malala Yousafzai,  Nobel Laureate, “Bravest Girl in the World;” Ed Catmull – President of Pixar & Disney Animation Studios; Seth Godin, best-selling author; Rudy Giuliani – 107th Mayor of New York City (1993-2001); Aja Brown, Mayor, City of Compton; Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP AG; CMDR Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL Commander; and Bill & Giuliana Rancic, award-winning personalities & Leadercast co-hosts.

To purchase Leadercast tickets or for more details, visit the Rockwall Chamber website, rockwallchamber.org  or contact the Chamber at 972-771-5733.

Submitted by the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce.

More Photos from the Taste of Rockwall:

 

 

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