By EMILY REED

Special to the Reporter 

HOOVER – The 12th annual Taste of Shelby County is planned for Sept. 12 at the Inverness Country Club.

The benefit, which begins at 6 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. with an early access at 5:30 p.m. for those with an eat pass, benefits the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation.

“Our mission is to enhance, support, and recognize excellence in education for the Shelby County Schools district,” said Shelby County Schools Education Foundation Director Kendall Williams. “Over the past few years, this event has helped fund over $100,000 in student, teacher, and school-wide grants. The grants range from technology advancement and STEAM initiatives to Career Tech program support and competitions. Also, from implementing a student-led instrumental chamber music program to two outdoor classrooms. We are proud to help imagine, inspire and impact the journeys of these students and teachers.”

New to this year’s event will be a larger silent auction with a new and faster check-out system.

Williams said there will also be new vendors this year for guests to sample.

“This is a fun evening where all the stakeholders of the Education Foundation are in one place supporting our students and teachers in a unique way,” Williams said. “There are students, teachers, administrators, elected officials, business leaders and more. Guests are able to socialize while sampling a myriad of features from local restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries.”

Some of the vendors that will be at the event include Bertolone’s, K&J’s Elegant Pastries, Chick-Fil-A Greystone, Interstellar Ginger Beer, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Joe’s Italian, Ozan Winery, Panoptic Catering, Bistro proVare, M&T Catering, Pampered Chef, Bama Budweiser of Shelby County, Corbin Farms Winery, Simply Infused Olive Oils, Cajun Boys and Our PoBoys.

Williams said event attendees enjoy the fact they can sample a wide variety of options.

“Our guests should never walk away hungry,” Williams said. “It is also an opportunity to socialize with groups you may not be able to on a normal basis. Dr. Lewis Brooks, Superintendent of Shelby County Schools, is always in attendance along with several principals and district leaders. It is really special for our community to see our leaders supporting this event.”

Williams said in 2018, there was about 400 people at the event.

For those that purchase an EAT Pass (Early Access Ticket), they will be allowed in at 5:30 p.m. and be able to sample the vendors’ selections before the crowds.

The silent auction building will open at 5:30 p.m. and close promptly at 7:45 p.m.

“People will flow through the dining room enjoying samples at their own pace,” Williams said. “We intentionally do not have a program or announcements we just want everyone to have a great time and bid high on the silent auction.”

Individuals are encouraged to buy tickets in advance for $30 or purchase them for $40 at the door.

The EAT Pass is $50 in advance only. In addition to the early access, the EAT Pass holders will also get a swag bag full of coupons and offers from sponsors, as well as the vendor participants, and a souvenir Taste of Shelby County wine or pint glass.

Tickets can be purchased at TasteofShelbyCounty.com.