Judges Lined Up For A Taste of Edmonds

The Edmonds mayor, city council members, the owner of a cooking school, and other local personalities will join the judging panel in A Taste of Edmonds' "Taste Off" competition.

The "Taste Off" takes place on the opening day of the three-day food festival. At noon on Friday, Aug. 12, judges will select the best main dish, side dish, and dessert from the vendors showcasing their fare at A Taste of Edmonds.

So far, entries in the "Taste Off" include soba noodles, shrimp and scallop crepes, halibut fish tacos, crab and shrimp chowder, and wedding cake-flavored shaved ice.

The judging panel includes local foodies and personalities. They include Anna Hiatt, the current “Mrs. Seattle International;” Edmonds Mayor Mike Coope; Captain Jack Sparrow, aka Brad Hoare of the Journal Media Group; Debbie Bodal, owner of A Chef’s Kitchen cooking school in Edmonds; and Edmonds City Council members Strom Peterson, Diane Buckshnis, D.J.Wilson.

(As a side note, as the editor of Edmonds Patch, I'll also be joining the judge's table. What a great gig! I can't wait to sample the various delectable dishes.)

The winners of Best Main Dish, Best Side Dish and Best Dessert will receive a banner to be displayed over their booth throughout the festival.

A Taste of Edmonds, sponsored by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, features over 30 food vendors, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts booths, beer and wine gardens, kids’ activities. The festival will take place at Civic Playfield from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 12 and 13, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 14. Admission is $3 for adults. Kids age 12 and under are free.