A grand time was had by all at Centre Wellington Rotary’s Grand Taste event on April 24.
Event co-chair Noreen Winter explained the annual Rotary Club event raises funds for Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus.
Local restaurants are invited to participate and provide samples, while event attendees get the chance to meet local chefs from the 16 restaurants.
“You sample some food and chat,” said Winter.
In addition, there were beverages of choice and entertainment offered at the event.
New this year, Winter said, was a live auction and raffles – for a wide range of items, from local artwork to a night out.
Winter added ScotiaBank will match funds raised at the event, up to $5,000.
Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy, representing Rotary and the Grand FM 101.1 described the event as the culinary arts supporting Groves hospital.
She said the Rotary Club has donated $137,000 to Groves hospital since 2005.
In addition, the club has committed an additional $100,000 over the next five years.
On behalf of the club, Lustgarten-Evoy thanked patrons and vendors for all their support.
“As a community event this would not be possible without each and every one of you here,” she said.
Lori Arsenault, executive director of the Groves Hospital Foundation, thanked the Centre Wellington Rotary Club.
“The volunteers have worked so hard to make this event possible,” said Arsenault. “They’ve done this for so many years and raise so much for Groves hospital.”
Arsenault noted construction on the new Groves hospital is expected to start in 2017.
