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Attendees at Taste of Shelby County could sample dishes from 25 local vendors. (REPORTER PHOTOS/KEITH MCCOY)

HOOVER – Attendees of the 10th annual Taste of Shelby County event on Thursday, Sept. 14, at Jefferson State Community College had the opportunity to sample food from 25 different vendors in one night.

The event is hosted by and benefits the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation, and Executive Director Kendall Williams said that though a total amount of funds generated is not known, more than 350 tickets were sold.

“My board of directors and I were overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for the event,” Williams said. “Funding is always tight within schools so we award money throughout the year to help where we can.”

SCS Education Foundation supports the school system through providing professional development awarding grants to students, teachers and principals, and various other efforts.

Twenty-five vendors served food at the event.

For Alabaster residents Benji Sawyer and Laney and Jared Yarchak, Taste of Shelby County was a chance to try offerings from some local eateries for the first time, such as Cowboy Chicken and K&J’s Elegant Pastries.

The residents said they enjoyed peanut butter and pancake and bacon cupcakes from K&J’s.

Though he has had it before, white chocolate bread pudding from Bellini’s was also a favorite for Sawyer, who looks forward to the treat at other events.

“That’s the whole reason I come to the Greater Shelby Chamber luncheons,” Sawyer said with a laugh.

Taste of Shelby County also included a silent auction, which is always popular, and this year added a VIP experience.

Attendees who purchased upgraded tickets attended a pre-event reception at Jefferson State’s Bistro proVare, where award-winning Chef Jason Bierley and culinary arts students demonstrated a specialty dish preparation.

VIP benefits also included a souvenir Taste of Shelby County wine or pint glass and a swag bag full of goodies from event sponsors and donors.

Last year’s Taste of Shelby County generated a record $18,000 for the Foundation, Williams said.

For more information, visit ShelbyEdFoundation.org.

View and purchase photos from the event at ShelbyCountyPhotos.com.

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