The first annual "Taste of Durham Festival" will take over the Bull City on May 28 to highlight the cultural, culinary and musical resources of the area, hoping to engender enthusiasm that will spill out into an entire year of special events to make residents aware and proud of what Durham has to offer.

Area restaurants, caterers and chefs will participate in "Food Samplings on Peabody Street" where booths will offer specialty samplings of entres, appetizers and desserts while nearby in the Brightleaf Square Courtyard, area chefs will demonstrate cooking and other culinary skills as well as offer tips for entertaining.

At a Wine Tasting, visitors can sample wines from around the world, with food pairing, cheese and other wine experiences including a grape-stomping stage put on by Georgio¹s Hospitality and catering. And with a passport to an International Beer Tasting, visitors can sample hard-to-find and unique beers from around the world.

Music venues will provide an eclectic mix by Soul Kitchen, Group Embalo (a Brazilian Samba band and dancers), NCCU Jazz Ensemble, Project Mastana (Indian, African and jazz-fusion), Italian and Parisian accordionists and ethnic dancing and dance demonstrations.

Other highlights of the event will include a Kids¹ Corner, ³Triangle Idol² Karaoke Contest at Devines Restaurant & Sports Bar (cash prize), a Silent & Live Auction at James Kennedy Antiques, and an Ice Sculpture Carving from Belle Rouge Catering.

Hosted on Brightleaf Square, Peabody Place and surrounding areas of the city, The Taste of Durham Festival is produced by The Community Chest Inc., a nonprofit organization with commitments to serve community interests and enrichments.

Copyright, 2005, Metro Magazine