The Taste of Durham was a wonderful experience for myself and our company. This was the first time that we had ever participated in a festival of that magnitude, and the time and effort that we put into our participation was well worth it. We have received numerous emails and phone calls from people who came in contact with us at the Taste of Durham. On a larger note, business picked up for us do to the exposure we received from the media prior to, during, and proceeding the event. We have no problem returning next year."

-- Ahmad Yarbor, Director of Public Relations, The Raw Choice

What a summer so far for Locopops Gourmet Popsicles, due in no small part to the Taste of Durham Festival for our debut in the Durham market. The Taste of Durham Festival was the ideal vehicle for promoting our opening! Three months after the event, we still have customers come in the store for the first time and say, "We heard about you at Taste of Durham." As a new resident of Durham, I was thrilled to see high attendance from as diverse a set of people as could be imagined.  All races and creeds seemed to converge on this spot for a day in Durham and enjoy the event and each other thoroughly. While researching and evaluating a site for our business, in the top five criteria were 'establishing in a place that retained a sense of community' and 'finding an open, diverse, and progressive target market.'  Durham has met all our criteria and is a place I'm proud to call home as an individual and as a business owner.  A Taste of Durham Festival, to me, reflected how unique and sp ecial a city Durham really is."

-- Summer L. Bicknell, SLB Enterprises of NC, LLC dba Locopops Gourmet Popsicles

The first Taste of Durham event was a great success for the Peabody Place merchants. Any event that draws over 8,500 people is a great commercial success. The additional sales exposure for Morgan Imports and the other Peabody Place merchants were well worth the time and money invested in the event. The Taste of Durham should become an annual event in Durham. We look forward to participating in the event next year."

-- Richard Morgan, President, Morgan Imports, Ltd.

"We enjoyed participating in the Taste of Durham this past spring. As a well-established business in downtown Durham, we were extremely happy with the turnout. It is a great venue, in which were able to introduce our property to many new people and to reconnect with many past clients as well. We look forward to next year's event with great anticipation."

-- Travis Hedgepeth, Executive Sous Chef, Durham Marriott at the Civic Center

"Thank you for putting on the Taste of Durham event.  As a new restaurant in town, this was a great event to help me promote my business.  We saw a dramatic increase in our business several weeks after your event.  I will definitely be doing this again next year. Thanks"

-- Jim Meeks, Proprietor, Ted's Montana Grill

"The Taste of Durham exceeded all expectations, from the attendance to the organization.  With a first year like this, I can't wait until next year. To have this year as your model to build from, I see the Taste of Durham becoming a regional attraction and eventually a national draw for the Bull City."

-- Brian Lawson, Owner, Blue Mountain Catering, Inc.

"Texas Roadhouse participated in Taste of Durham. This event was one of the best-organized and best-promoted that we have been associated with. The setup and facilities were well thought out and planed. Great event and a good cause. We will be back in 2006. Taste of Durham allowed our restaurant to be exposed to a great number of new customers. . We met new and old friends alike. To some it up this was a great opportunity to show case our food and market our business. Thanks"

-- Ken Baldwin, Managing Partner, Texas Roadhouse

"The Taste of Durham was an amazing experience for all of us at Chamas Churrascaria. As we served many people samples of Chamas' food, it was such a rewarding and pleasant experience that we could not stop cooking. We cooked until the end of the event with big smiles on our faces. We wanted people to know about Chamas: Our culture, food and spirit. As one of the sponsors, we are very proud to participate in this event. It is putting people together that will make all of us succeed."

-- Rosana Silva and Raquel Siqueira, Owners, Chamas Churrascaria

"The Durham Taste Festival was an amazing opportunity to connect with the community.  Many customers knew of us, but had never tasted our ice cream before.  We were overwhelmed by the turnout. We will definitely bring way more ice cream next year.  For a first-year event, it was well-attended and very well-planned and promoted.  This is the type of event that all cities should have."

-- Jeff Buck and Dave Gall, Cold Stone Creamery Franchisees

"Thank you, Thank you for having such a great event.  The entertainment was wonderful and there was something for all ages.  The food was excellent.  I ate my way from one end of the street top the other and started back again. Thank you for helping to make my weekend special."

-- Jan Southerland

"The festival was great for the city and all of Durham. It was a successful event and everyone seemed happy. We got a chance to show off our culinary delights."

-- Tom Buckley, Owner, James Joyce Irish Pub

"The Taste of Durham Festival was one of the premier Durham food events of the last ten years - if not the premier event. As any participant will tell you, the end result went far beyond our expectations. The event itself was a fantastic idea in the first place - a chance to mingle with other food providers, providing an extremely wide sampling of Durham's food offerings in one location for a reasonable price. The attendees were in awe. It was not just good advertising for our restaurants, it was a chance to network with other people and try to brand Durham as the food Mecca that we all know that it is. I can only hope that the Festival grows every year, and that we can put Durham and its restaurants on the map." 

-- Mitch Payton, Manager, Fishmonger's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

"I would like to express that I thought the Taste of Durham Festival was a great success for both exhibitors and the attendees of the event. Durham has such a diverse and wonderful cuisine scene, and there is a whole community of quality dining establishments around town.  People who attended the event were able to sample the various fares from different venues without having to spend an entire evening at one place alone.  The vendors and participants were able to show off their goods and talents to the people who came, especially since people who attended the event were specifically looking to try various places. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of the turnout.  The format of the event, with the various shows and exhibits, enhanced the overall experience for those who attended. I am looking forward to this event next year and I fully expect to participate again.  I believe that this event will be a continued success for all those involved, and it can show the high quality of life that is available in Durham."

-- Frank Lin, Owner, The Down Under Pub

"I launched my new business and I got an opportunity to shine, show my style of cuisine, and portray my creative menus. As a result, I booked multiple parties after the festival."

-- Vikki M. Lacatena, Owner, Just In Thyme Catering