Satiated until the next Taste

It’s one of those events that leaves you hungry for more. But at the

same time, the Taste of Newport never disappoints.

The 17th annual event, which took place last weekend, was once

again a great success, drawing in the neighborhood of 65,000 people

during its Friday-through-Sunday run. Probably a bit of the success

can be attributed to the great musical acts the event always seems to

round up.

This year’s headliners were Macy Gray, the B-52’s and Hootie and

the Blowfish. But even more of a draw is the fabulous food and drinks

-- lobster bisque, prime rib sandwiches and creme brulee, among them

-- that the 30-plus restaurants serve up to the hungry, jam-packed

crowds.

The Taste of Newport is always quite the scene, and this year was

no different. It once again was a great showcase for the city’s

restaurant and hospitality businesses, which collectively are an

important force in the community that helps drive up city tax

coffers. It would be difficult to come to the Taste of Newport and

not want to come back to Newport for a bigger bite.

But the event is not just about drawing more business to town and

figuring out new ways to build up revenue. Each year the Newport

Beach Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event as its main

fundraiser for the year, raises about $30,000 for charities. This

year, a part of that charitable pie is expected to go to relief

efforts in the Gulf Coast.

The Taste of Newport, in other words, is a perfect win-win

scenario for those involved and for those in need.

As always in the days after its gates closed, we’re feeling ready

for next year’s event and are anxious to see how the chamber makes it

even better.