More than 300 people turned out last week to eat, drink, mingle and — most importantly — help raise funds for the Cazenovia Children’s House during the organization’s annual Taste of Cazenovia fundraising event, held this year at the Willow Bank Yacht Club.
The annual event is an evening of food and drink samplings from local farms, restaurants and businesses, accompanied by live music and fundraising auctions. The Taste of Cazenovia is the biggest fundraiser of the year for CCH, a not-for-profit childcare and pre-school educational facility that uses the proceeds to support programming and tuition assistance for qualifying families with financial need.
This year’s Taste raised more than $5,000, although the final figures have not yet been tabulated, said CCH Director Penny Noll.
“Everyone I spoke with raved about the food, beverages, music and decorations. Each culinary, local farm and beverage sponsor prepared a beautiful table with their delicious samples. We have so much to be proud of in our community,” Noll said. “Taste of Cazenovia is a wonderful community event that brings together families and supporters from the past 44 years with new area residents. This year we were so pleased to hold our fundraiser at Willow Bank Yacht Club so we could showcase the organization, clubhouse and grounds.”
While the past two Taste of Cazenovia events were held at Owera Vineyards in 2011 and 2013, the 40-year-old event often switches locations, and this year the Cazenovia Yacht Club sought to be the host. The event was held in the club’s Owahgena Room, on the two connected balconies as well as under a temporary event tent on the grassy pier.
“Willow Bank was very happy to support the community and specifically the Cazenovia Children’s House by hosting the Taste of Cazenovia. This was the first time our private club has opened up our facility to our community and hosted a large scale fundraising event, and we could not be happier with the outcome,” said Tucker Lounsbury, commodore of the WBYC. “The event truly showcased why Cazenovia is such a special place and a true community. … The numerous local food and beverage sponsors donated their time and talents to deliver a very memorable experience that I am sure will result in increased traffic for their businesses. Their generosity and hospitality was again such a positive reflection on our community spirit and pride. The attendance was great and we received numerous positive comments from attendees that included current Willow Bank members as well as local residents who had never visited Willow Bank.”
This year’s Taste of Cazenovia offered a long list of local food and drink sponsors for the event, including: Willow Bank Yacht Club, Dave’s Diner, BG Buda’s Cucina Italiana, Brae Loch Inn and Empire Buffalo, Pewter Spoon Café and Eatery, Lincklaen House, Horned Dorset and Drover Hill Farm, Side Hill Farmers Meats and Market, Latte Da Café and Bakehouse, Junior’s Caz Bar, Owahgena Pizzeria, Rise, Primo and Mary’s Salsa, Hartwood Farm, Kriemhild Farms, Life of Reilley Distilling Company, Empire Brewing Company, Owera Vineyards, Harvest Moon Cidery and Henneberg Brewing Co.
New to the event this year, two restaurants partnered with two local farms to create their offerings: Brae Loch Inn created a specialty dish that included Empire Buffalo bison, and Horned Dorset feature a specialty dish using Drover Hill Farm products. Also changed this year was a fundraising auction that offered more “experiences” such as tours, cruises and weekend getaways instead of the “items” that have been auctioned in past years.
“The restaurant, business and community support for this event was outstanding,” said CCH board member Nicki Donlin. “The best part, for me, is that even though this is a major fundraiser for Cazenovia Children’s House, it has very much become a community event. When so many wonderful parts of our community are involved, it’s a recipe for success … and we’re so fortunate that CCH can benefit greatly from it.”
To view photos from the event, visit the Cazenovia Republican Facebook page at Facebook.com/cazrepublican.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
