The 7th Annual Taste of Wrightsville Beach will be held Nov. 16, celebrating the island’s diverse fare with more than 35 local tasting booths.

A panel of judges will rate the dishes with prizes for Best in Show, Best Savory and Best Sweet dishes, while guests cast their votes for the People’s Choice, Best Beer and Best Wine awards.

This year’s organizer is the local Weekend Meals on Wheels (WMOW) program. The mission of this non-profit organization is to ensure provision of nutritious meals and social contact to senior and disabled persons on weekends and other days not covered by the weekday home-delivered meals (preparation pictured below) program in New Hanover County. 

WMOW reports that New Hanover County has a rapidly aging population with many underserved clients in need of improved nutrition to support overall health.

Started in 1990, Weekend Meals on Wheels delivers more than 475 meals every weekend in New Hanover County, and more than 25,000 meals each year. 

“Our all-volunteer delivery team carries warm nutritious meals prepared by more than 40 church and civic organizations, friends and individuals,” said Lisa Weeks, chair of Taste of WB and WMOW council board member. “On many days our volunteers may be the only social contact our home-bound seniors experience all day.”

Weeks said that the transition from the former sponsor, The Wrightsville Beach Foundation (WBF), to the current one, came about because the WBF had recently taken on two new projects and wished to pass along the Taste event. WMOW was the best candidate since the organization already received 40 percent of the event’s net proceeds each year and is in need of additional funding. 

Weeks said that the change in venue came about following the tremendous success of the WBF’s, WB Strong Fundraiser following Hurricane Florence, which was held under a large tent in the Bluewater parking lot. 

Guests will enjoy bites and sips while browsing raffle items, one of which is an autographed guitar from Eric Church, compliments of Blue Shark Vodka.

“The Weekend Meals on Wheels Program is committed to improving the lives of home-bound seniors in New Hanover County,” Weeks said. “Our organization depends on charitable donations and every penny of the net proceeds will be used to feed our local home bound senior citizens.”

Tickets are available at Lighthouse Beer and Wine and MarineMax in Wrightsville Beach and online at: https://910tix.com/events/Coastal-KIA-presents-Taste-of-Wrightsville-Beach-11-16-2019/tickets

Have a tip for Restaurant Roundup? Email us at: [email protected]