TENTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN EATS

Greeted at the entrance by taste bud titillating aromas and lured into the Marriott’s luxurious Grand Ballroom, guests were awarded the opportunity to have a taste of the finest of epicurean delicacies. Succulent roast beef, pungent shrimp and hard shell crab steamed to perfection

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce surpassed themselves once again at the 10th Annual Brooklyn Eats festival, Brooklyn’s premier annual tasting extravaganza.  The scrumptious affair was held at the elegant New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in Downtown Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Chamber’s ongoing endeavor to promote Brooklyn’s vast restaurant industry continues its rapid progression due to the hard work of Brooklyn Chamber members and staff. Brooklyn Eats is an integral marketing initiative created by the Brooklyn Chamber and has helped promote Brooklyn’s restaurant industry tremendously over the past decade.  About 1,000 people attended the delicious affair.

Greeted at the entrance by taste bud titillating aromas and lured into the Marriott’s luxurious Grand Ballroom by the hypnotic smells, guests were awarded the opportunity to have a taste of the finest of epicurean delicacies.  Succulent roast beef, pungent shrimp and hard shell crab steamed to perfection, delicious meat dishes glazed with maple, honey, and brown sugar, smoked and unsmoked, Chinese dumplings, savory sauces, scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and rich desserts — cakes, luscious tarts topped with  all kinds of delicacies, home-churned ice cream and countless handmade artisan varieties, fine wines and other guilty pleasures were laid out in kingly presentations.  

The finest wineries, chocolatiers and other Brooklyn specialties were also in the house dazzling the palates of happy guests.

Shakoor’s Sweet Tooth represented Bed Stuy with their devastatingly delicious baked goods and Southern cuisine.  Head Chef, Mario describes his incredible Southern classics not as “soul food” but “comfort food.”  Shakoor and Marissa Watson  originally started operating out of their house in 1999 using a $10 hand-held mixer. But because of the huge demand for their scrumptious baked pleasures, they had to find a larger space to work from and got a larger store on Throop Avenue in Bed Stuy.  Since that time, they’ve achieved an even greater expansion to their newest location, 305 Halsey Street between Throop Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Bedford Stuyvesant.  Shakoor’s also helps ex-offenders get back on their feet by training them in epicurean arts and employing them at the fine establishment. Karen Johnson from Congressman Ed Towns’ office (10th Congressional District of New York) stopped through to give cheerful well wishes and support to Shakoor’s and to show support for Brooklyn Eats and enjoy the yummy treats throughout the festival.  Ms. Johnson is a big supporter of Shakoor’s Sweet Tooth.  In fact, Ms. Johnson from Congressman Towns’ office has given Shakoor’s Sweet Tooth their largest catering job to date.    www.shakoorssweettooth.com .

Sweet Melissa Patisserie, a delicious Cobble Hill establishment, presented a lovely selection of dreamy wedding and specialty cakes, masterfully prepared and decorated by Katie Robinson. Ms. Robinson’s beaming smile was a welcome accent on their beautiful presentation. Sweet Melissa Patisserie is located at 276 Court Street. www.sweetmelissapatisserie.com .

Avi Oliel of NY Gourmet Salads was just as delightful as his delicious dishes.  He had on display a myriad of tasty favorites such as pasta, tortellini, crab, seafood, tuna and other amazing assortments of home style specialty salads.  And home style it is.  One taste of his amazing tuna salad took me back to fond memories of my Daddy’s tuna fish when I was a child.  I had to remark that his ingredients matched those of my own father’s.  Mr. Oliel proudly announced that his chef hails from Haiti.  NY Gourmet Salads is located at  225 60th Street in Brooklyn.

Other highlights of the evening were the Brooklyn Chambers’ awarding the 4th Annual Brooklyn Eats Scholarships.  Awards went to Ms. Veronica Maldonado, Ms. Rhonda Rondon and Mr. Jude Nwabuoku.  Each are hospitality management students at the New York City College of Technology, CUNY. http://www.citytech.cuny.edu

Mr. Peter Meyer of Commerce Bank, a major sponsor of Brooklyn Eats was present, enjoying the festivities along with eighteen elected officials from State and City government.

As a result of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s efforts, Brooklyn is now justifiably known as an incredible place to find magnificent food and great restaurants. 

Trendy Williamsburg and Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, DUMBO, Prospect Heights, Bedford Stuyvesant/Stuyvesant Heights, Coney Island, and Sheepshead Bay, are just a few of the must visit hot spots with great places to eat in Brooklyn.

Culinary establishments that participated included
Abu’s Homestyle Bakery, Amelia Ristorante, Archives Restaurant-New York Marriott Brooklyn Bridge, Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse, Aunt Suzie’s, Bamboo Stick, Bierkraft, Bouillabaise 126, Brawta Caribbean Café, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, Caffe Buon Gusto, Cake Man Raven, Casa pepe, Clemente’s Maryland Crabhouse, de Islands, Eddie’s Flying Pizza, Footprints Café, Greenhouse Café, I-Shebeen Madiba, Jive Turkey, Junior’s, Kush Café, La Lunetta, Liberty Heights Tap Room & Restaurant, Marco Polo Ristorante, Maria’s Mexican Bistro, MELT Restaurant, Miriam, Mojito Cuban Cuisine, New York City College of Technology, CUNY Hospitality Management, Pearl Room Restaurant, Pete’s Downtown, Press 195, Province en Boite, RICE, Shakoor’s Sweet Tooth, Shepsmeri Catering, Soul Spot, Stir It Up, Sugarcane, Sweet Melissa Patisserie, Tavern on Dean, Trattoria Mangia, The Farm on Adderley, W-Restaurant and Zoila

Wines, Beers and other Beverages
Brooklyn Brewery, Dallis Coffee, Hena Coffee, Jamesport Vineyards, Michael Towne Wines & Spirits, Sixpoint Craft Ales and Southern Wines & Spirits of New York

Brooklyn Specialties
Eddie’s Flying Pizza, Erica’s Rugelach & Baking Company, Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate & Gombers Seltzer, Joyva Chocolates, New York Gourmet Salads, T.M.I Food Group
The first Brooklyn Eats began 10 years ago with 10 participating restaurateurs.  This year, there were over 50 restaurants, wineries and bakeries, and other food and beverage masters  participating.

Major funding for Brooklyn Eats is provided by New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the Brooklyn delegation of the New York City Council.  The event is sponsored by Commerce Bank with additional support from American Express, Pfizer, Inc., Sweet ‘N Low, TD Banknorth, N.A., Verizon Communications, and in collaboration with American Institute of Wine and Food-New York Chapter, New York City College of Technology, CUNY and Heart of Brooklyn.
 
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce – New York City’s largest chamber with 1,300 Members – is a business assistance and economic development organization dedicated to helping businesses grow and to promoting the economic development of Brooklyn. 

Visit the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce by logging on to www.ibrooklyn.com

Brenda Jeanne Wyche, Advocate for Solutions and Results ©2006 is Managing Editor for The Black Star News and Harlem Business News and CEO of Winning Strategies & Associates, a business development consultancy in New York City.  If you have a solution, contact  [email protected] .  Maybe we’ll talk.

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