The Perry High School Percussion Band greeted guests as they arrived for Taste of the NFL at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Tuesday night. The benefit for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank drew more than 500 people.
Dan Flowers, president and CEO of the foodbank, said last year it provided 20 million pounds of food that fed 180,000 people in eight counties, “and this year we are 25 percent ahead of last year in food distribution.”
Mike Adkins and Gregg Barton of The Canton Club served spicy crabcakes, while Tom Rice of Georgio’s Grille served mac and cheese with crab to Tim and Sue Timken. Sherry and Ralph Schie said they opened their new restaurant, Shy Cellars, just four months ago, as they assisted chef Mark Green over at D.B.A. Dante Boccuzzi Akron, and Larry and Kathleen Geier enjoyed chicken in a peach curry sauce.
Joe Hershberger poured wine from Perennial Vineyards, saying he was substituting for owner Damon Leeman, who was busy with the grape harvest. For the sixth year Molly Meeker came from California to pour wine from her family’s Meeker Vineyard.
Kyle McMullen of Robert J Events & Catering caused quite a stir as he flamed bacon wrapped shrimp, served by Nicole Dietz; Charlie Somtrakool and Analise Bruno served chicken satay and fried rice with pineapple chicken from Cilantro. Kelly Zdekar and Bill Stevens said the porky grilled cheese sandwiches served by J.J. and Kevin Altomare of Hudson’s Restaurant “were wonderful.”
Greg Long, Gary Smith and Lara Wilson co-chaired the event where Michelle Mahoney celebrated her birthday with her husband, Ted. Also enjoying the event were Rick, Amanda and Michelle Saunders, Beth and Steve Pressler, and Todd and Bernett Williams.
Many guests came attired in their favorite team’s colors as they mingled with hall of famers. “You are my dad’s favorite player,” Jeff Hunk told Kellen Winslow as his wife, Kelli, took a photo. Ron Dougherty slipped a beef slider to John Randle as he autographed footballs, cards and other memorabilia. Also signing autographs were Curley Culp, Tom Mack, Randall McDaniel, Rayfield Wright and Jack Youngblood.
On the patio, Rachel Ickes and Patricia Swogger served coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. Ed Mahoney recommended the deep-fried Oreos from Or Derv Foods for dessert, along with brownies from Main Street Gourmet and chocolate-covered strawberries from Davis Candies.
Winners of last year’s Taste of the NFL, Benjamin Walsh and Ken Bogucki Jr. of The Wooster Inn, said they are looking forward to the national contest in New York City during Super Bowl weekend in February. Shy Cellars won this year’s event, and they will participate at Super Bowl 2015.
